As Morocco ramps up preparations to co-host the 2030 World Cup, a new report from the African Center for Strategic Studies and Digitalization is raising red flags about the short-lived nature of the anticipated economic boom. The study forecasts the creation of around 250,000 jobs in construction and public works, along with another 100,000 positions in tourism and hospitality. However, the report warns that many of these jobs will likely vanish once the tournament ends—potentially triggering a spike in unemployment and igniting broader social unrest.
At the heart of the report are two deep-rooted vulnerabilities in Morocco’s economic structure. The first concerns the country’s heavy reliance on Europe, particularly for its automobile exports. As Europe accelerates its transition to electric vehicles and implements carbon taxes and reshoring policies, Moroccan industry could face sharp setbacks, putting thousands of industrial jobs at risk. The second weakness lies in the call center sector, which employs nearly 90,000 young people—most of them servicing the French market. A new French law set to take effect in 2026 will restrict outbound telemarketing, threatening a major source of employment.
The tourism sector, while currently buoyed by the World Cup effect, also faces uncertainty. The report cautions that the surge in activity could be short-lived, and a post-tournament slowdown may expose an overdependence on event-driven growth.
Without strategic planning, the authors argue, Morocco could be heading toward what they call a “historic labor market crisis.” To avert this, the report proposes the immediate creation of a national task force focused on reorienting workers toward more sustainable sectors such as urban maintenance and green infrastructure. It also urges the country to reduce its overreliance on Europe by developing stronger economic ties with Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. In parallel, a retraining fund should be established to support workers displaced from sectors like call centers.
The study further highlights the urgent need to modernize Morocco’s legal and regulatory frameworks. It advocates for a comprehensive labor law reform that would recognize the growing diversity in employment types and ensure that social protections are transferable between jobs. On the education front, the authors call for a sweeping overhaul of vocational training systems to better align with the demands of a digital and green economy. This includes integrating digital skills and critical thinking into school curricula from an early age.
Looking further ahead, the report puts forward several ambitious long-term ideas. Among them: piloting a targeted basic income program, exploring the feasibility of a four-day workweek, and establishing a national lifelong learning system. These proposals aim to build a more resilient and inclusive workforce that can thrive beyond the World Cup spotlight.
