FIFA 2030: How Morocco’s World Cup Preparations Are Reshaping the HVAC Market
Morocco’s preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup are creating an infrastructure boom that extends far beyond football. The country is investing heavily in airports, hotels, railways, stadiums and urban infrastructure, creating a sizeable pipeline of new buildings and facilities that would require cooling, ventilation and other HVAC systems.
The scale of the investment is significant. According to the IMF, Morocco’s accelerated connectivity and tourism infrastructure programme between 2024 and 2030 is estimated at around MAD 190 billion (US$20.3 billion). The programme covers railways, airports, roads, stadiums and urban and tourism infrastructure, with the World Cup serving as an important milestone for bringing projects forward.
Rising Tourism Creates a New Cooling Demand
Tourism is emerging as one of the biggest sources of new cooling demand. Morocco welcomed 19.8 million tourists in 2025, up 14% year-on-year, and the government is targeting 26 million visitors by 2030.
To support this growth, Morocco plans to add around 60,000 hotel beds ahead of the World Cup. The expansion includes new hotels and upgrades to existing properties, creating demand for room ACs, VRF systems, chillers, AHUs and ventilation equipment. This investment could also create a long-term aftermarket opportunity, as the growing installed base would require maintenance, replacement and energy-efficiency upgrades after the tournament.
Airport Expansion Opens Large-Scale HVAC Opportunities
Airport expansion is another major opportunity for HVAC suppliers. Under the Airports 2030 programme, Morocco plans to increase national airport capacity to 80 million passengers by 2030, supported by approximately MAD 38 billion (US$ 4 billion) of investment. The programme includes the expansion of seven airports in World Cup host cities and a new international airport in Casablanca.
These projects are particularly attractive for HVAC suppliers, because airport terminals require extensive centralised cooling and ventilation infrastructure. Large chillers, AHUs, air-handling systems, ventilation equipment and building-management controls are likely to form an important part of the equipment mix as terminals are expanded and modernised.
Stadiums is Expected to Raise Demand for HVAC
The stadium programme is adding another layer to the opportunity. Morocco is upgrading existing venues across its host cities and constructing the 115,000-seat Grand Stade Hassan II near Casablanca. The scale of HVAC-related investment is already visible in the project. A MAD 763.7 million (US$ 81.8 million) contract for the stadium’s technical installations includes air-conditioning, ventilation, smoke extraction, plumbing and fire-safety systems. The stadium itself would cover approximately 226,000 m². Such projects favour sophisticated HVAC solutions capable of handling high occupancy and changing loads. This could strengthen demand for large chillers, AHUs, ventilation systems, controls and energy-management solutions rather than relying solely on conventional room AC equipment.
Cooling Demand Is Rising Beyond World Cup Projects
The underlying cooling market is also becoming more attractive. Morocco’s average temperatures have risen in recent decades, and the IEA estimates that cooling degree days have increased by an average of 3.5% annually over the past two decades. It projects residential AC penetration could reach as high as 49% by 2030, compared with 9.3% in 2015. The impact of rising temperatures is also creating a structural opportunity for the HVAC market. The IEA expects more frequent and intense heatwaves to increase cooling demand and put additional pressure on Morocco’s electricity system, particularly during summer peaks. This is likely to strengthen demand for more efficient cooling technologies, as the country seeks to manage rising AC penetration without placing additional strain on its power network.
Outlook: Efficiency Becomes the Next Battleground
Morocco’s World Cup preparations are therefore doing more than creating temporary demand for cooling equipment. They are accelerating the development of hotels, airports, transport facilities and large commercial buildings, expanding the country’s installed HVAC base. At the same time, rising temperatures and greater focus on energy efficiency are likely to influence the technology mix. Demand should increasingly favour inverter ACs, VRF systems, high-efficiency chillers, heat-recovery solutions, efficient AHUs and smart HVAC controls.
According to BRG estimates, Morocco’s AC market is forecast to grow by approximately 5-6% annually between 2026 and 2030. Room ACs are expected to remain the largest contributor, supported by rising residential cooling demand, tourism growth and the expansion of hospitality infrastructure. Commercial AC systems are also projected to record steady growth as investment in hotels, airports and other large buildings increases.
The 2030 World Cup may provide the deadline, but the HVAC opportunity is much broader. Morocco is effectively using the tournament to accelerate infrastructure development, creating a larger and more sophisticated cooling market that manufacturers, distributors and service providers can continue to benefit from long after the final match is played.
Nisha
Source: BRG Research
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