Morocco has been chosen to join a White House task force that will help plan security for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the United States has said.
The US Embassy in Rabat announced the decision on Tuesday in a post on X. It congratulated Morocco and said the partnership would help strengthen security cooperation as both countries approach 250 years of diplomatic relations.
The task force includes senior officials from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. It is responsible for planning safety and logistics for the 48-team tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Morocco’s inclusion follows its hosting of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Congratulations to Morocco for being selected to participate in a White House Task Force of the FIFA World Cup to strengthen security collaboration for the upcoming #FIFAWorldCup!
As we look forward to celebrating 250 years of friendship with Morocco, this is another opportunity… pic.twitter.com/5CJv9bCwy8— U.S. Embassy Morocco (@USEmbMorocco) April 14, 2026
US officials have praised Morocco’s approach to stadium security, often referred to as the “Moroccan model”.
During AFCON 2025, Morocco used strict security measures, including setting up temporary court units inside stadiums. These were used to deal quickly with offences such as fake tickets, flying drones where they are not allowed, and fans entering the pitch.
Before the announcement, FBI officials visited Morocco in early 2026. They toured stadiums including the Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium and the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. They looked at systems such as AI-based cameras, drone monitoring, electronic ticket checks to reduce fraud, and rapid response teams trained to calm crowd situations.
Morocco has also been involved in supporting security at major international events, including the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 Paris Olympics, according to officials.
The move comes as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal. The country is building new stadiums and upgrading existing ones, including the Grand Stade de Casablanca, which is set to be one of the biggest stadiums in the world. The security systems being developed are expected to be used again in 2030.
Morocco has also created the African Police Cooperation Center in Rabat. It is meant to help African countries share information about security risks linked to sports events.
The timing of the cooperation also links to the 250th anniversary of the 1786 treaty between Morocco and the United States. Officials say security work is now a major part of relations between the two countries, along with trade and cooperation on regional security issues.
