Ahead of the winner-takes-all World Cup qualifying play off in Morocco, the Super Eagles will open camp in Morocco on Sunday 9 November.

The Nigerian side will face the Panthers of Gabon in the first semi-finals of the play-offs scheduled to hold in Rabat, Morocco on 13 November. CAF will on Thursday decide on which of the two semi-final matches will be played at the newly inaugurated Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

The other match will then be played at the newly renovated Al Barid Stadium at the Agdal district of Rabat.

According to a media release by the Nigeria Football Federation, officials of the federation are working with those of the National Sports Commission (NSC) to ensure the success of the Super Eagles at the mini-tournament.

The Super Eagles will square up against the Panthers of Gabon at either the 18,000-capacity El-Barid Stadium or the 22,000-capacity Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex, both in Rabat.

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By Kunle Solaja

Two major stadiums in Morocco’s capital, Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium and Al Barid Stadium, have been inaugurated and upgraded ahead of the African playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled for November 13–16.

The move underscores Morocco’s ambition to solidify its reputation as one of Africa’s leading footballing nations—on and off the pitch.

The centerpiece of the development is the new Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium, officially inaugurated on September 4 by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan.

The state-of-the-art 68,700-seater arena was constructed in a record 18 months, featuring a hybrid pitch that blends natural grass with synthetic fibers—the first of its kind in Africa.

Sports Village Square Editor, Kunle Solaja at the State of the Art, arena, the Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium last month

The facility also boasts 110 VIP boxes, five hospitality lounges, full accessibility for persons with disabilities, and a modern media centre designed to meet FIFA standards.

The stadium hosted its debut match in Morocco’s 5–0 triumph over Niger during the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifiers, marking a symbolic start for the nation’s upgraded football infrastructure.

Al Barid Stadium Gets a Major Facelift

Meanwhile, in Rabat’s Agdal district, the Al Barid Stadium has undergone a massive renovation project worth approximately 400 million dirhams ($39 million).

The upgraded venue will now accommodate 15,000 to 18,500 spectators and features Platinum TE Paspalum natural turf, capable of thriving with recycled or semi-saline water irrigation—an environmentally conscious innovation.

Both stadiums set new standards in African football infrastructure

Playoffs Draw Elite Contenders

The African playoffs will bring together four football powerhouses—Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Nigeria—as they battle for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) schedule:

• Nigeria vs. Gabon – Friday, November 13 at 17:00 (GMT+1)
• Cameroon vs. DR Congo – Friday, November 13 at 20:00 (GMT+1)
• Final – Sunday, November 16 at Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium, 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT)

The play-off winner moves on to the FIFA Inter-Continental Play-Off Tournament in March 2026. Win there, and they join Africa’s nine direct qualifiers at FIFA World Cup 2026—completing the continent’s contingent.

Looking Ahead to AFCON 2025

Both venues will next take center stage when Morocco hosts the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.

The successful completion of these facilities not only highlights Morocco’s growing infrastructure capacity but also reinforces its readiness to host major continental and global football tournaments.

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Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans for a futuristic football venue that promises to redefine the boundaries of sports architecture — the Neom Sky Stadium, a structure that will hover 350 metres (1,150 feet) above the desert floor.

The stadium, set to be completed before the 2034 FIFA World Cup, will be part of the NEOM megacity, specifically within the linear urban project known as “The Line.”

A Stadium in the Sky

Planned to seat 46,000 spectators, the $1 billion arena will be powered entirely by renewable energy sources — solar and wind — in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a national blueprint promoting sustainability and technological innovation.

Access to the suspended venue will be via high-speed elevators and autonomous transport pods, allowing spectators to ascend into the clouds for panoramic views of the desert below.

Inside, AI-driven systems, augmented reality interfaces, and precision acoustic technology will enhance the matchday experience, merging sport with science fiction-like spectacle.

Construction is slated to begin in 2027 and finish by 2032, two years before Saudi Arabia stages the 2034 World Cup. Pending FIFA approval, the Sky Stadium could host matches up to the quarter-final stage.

After the World Cup

Once the global showpiece concludes, the Neom Sky Stadium will transform into a multi-purpose venue, hosting sports and entertainment events year-round.
Plans are also underway for it to serve as the home ground of a future NEOM-based football club, further anchoring it within Saudi Arabia’s growing sports landscape.

Officials say the project “symbolizes Saudi Arabia’s leap into the future,” fusing eco-innovation with iconic design to showcase a new era of sports infrastructure.

Engineering and Ethical Concerns

Despite its breathtaking ambition, the Neom Sky Stadium has raised serious questions among engineers and rights advocates.

Building a stadium suspended hundreds of metres above a desert prone to sandstorms and extreme temperatures presents unprecedented technical and safety challenges.

There are also timeline concerns, with construction scheduled to start in 2027 and end in 2032 — leaving just two years of cushion before the World Cup.

Meanwhile, human rights groups have criticized the broader NEOM project, pointing to reports of labor violations and community displacement in other ongoing developments within the region.

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