Morocco, Spain, Portugal Sign Judicial Cooperation Deal Ahead of 2030 World Cup

Rabat – Morocco, Spain, and Portugal signed a joint memorandum of understanding and a 2026-2030 action plan on Friday to strengthen international judicial cooperation ahead of the 2030 World Cup.

The signing took place at Morocco’s Ministry of Justice headquarters in Rabat. It brought together Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi, Spain’s Minister of the Presidency, Justice and Parliamentary Relations Félix Bolaños García, and Portugal’s Justice Minister Rita Alarcão Júdice.

The deal comes as the three countries prepare to co-host the 2030 World Cup, a historic event that will be the first World Cup jointly organized across Europe and Africa.

The agreement aims to create a coordinated legal and judicial framework to support the organization of the tournament. It focuses on improving cooperation among judicial systems to ensure legal security, protect rights, and make access to justice easier for all parties involved.

Key areas of cooperation include international judicial assistance, legal governance for major events, and the development of digital justice systems. The plan also targets stronger coordination to combat cross-border cybercrime and promotes the use of alternative dispute resolution methods. In addition, the three countries will work on training and strengthening human resources in the legal and judicial sectors.

Officials said the agreement will help create a stable legal environment, support investment, and improve the business climate linked to the World Cup.  

Read also: FIFA World Cup 2030 Projects Could Strain Morocco’s Budget, IMF Warns

The memorandum also establishes practical mechanisms for implementing joint programs and increasing the exchange of expertise and best practices. It builds on earlier declarations of intent signed in Lisbon and Madrid in 2025.

Speaking at the signing, Abdellatif Ouahbi said the agreement reflects Morocco’s commitment to building a shared legal framework that can meet the challenges of hosting the World Cup. He described the initiative as a collective effort to develop an efficient and forward-looking model of judicial cooperation.

Rita Alarcão Júdice said the agreement shows the strength of the partnership between the three countries and will help address legal challenges linked to the tournament while ensuring the protection of rights.

Félix Bolaños García described the deal as an important step toward stronger legal coordination, stressing that organizing an event of this scale requires close cooperation and effective judicial mechanisms.

Hosting the World Cup will be a historic moment for Morocco after several previous bids to host the tournament. The country has been investing heavily in infrastructure, including stadiums, transport networks, and tourism facilities, to meet international standards.

The tournament is expected to bring major economic opportunities, boost tourism, and strengthen Morocco’s global profile. At the same time, it requires strong coordination in areas such as security, transport, and legal systems, which explains the importance of agreements like this new judicial cooperation deal.

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