Casablanca is the economic capital of Morocco and the home of the most ambitious stadium project of the 2030 World Cup: the new Grand Stade de Casablanca, designed to be one of the largest stadiums in the world and a serious candidate to host the final. For fans, a trip to Casablanca will be the most exotic part of the tournament — a city where Europe meets Africa, where the Atlantic meets the medina, and where the Moroccan national team will play in front of its own people. This is your guide to Casablanca in 2030.

The Grand Stade de Casablanca

The Grand Stade is Morocco's statement to the football world: a brand-new stadium built to the highest standards, with a capacity that would make it one of the biggest in the world. It is being built on the outskirts of Casablanca, and if it is completed on schedule it will host some of the tournament's biggest matches, with the final itself a real possibility. Seeing a World Cup game in a stadium built for the occasion is a rare experience.

Because the stadium is new and outside the city centre, transport planning matters. Morocco is investing in new roads, rail links and shuttle services to connect the Grand Stade with the city, and fans should check the official transport information once it is published. Arrive early, allow plenty of time, and follow the guidance of the local organisers rather than improvising on the day.

The city: the medina and the Hassan II Mosque

Casablanca is a working city rather than a tourist resort, and that is part of its charm. The Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest in the world, stands on the Atlantic shore and is unmissable, with guided tours available to non-Muslim visitors. The old medina is a maze of shops and workshops, the Corniche is the seafront promenade where the city relaxes, and the art deco buildings of the centre tell the story of Casablanca's twentieth-century boom.

The city is best explored over two or three days, with the mosque and the medina on day one, the Corniche and the modern districts on day two, and a day trip to Rabat — Morocco's capital, an hour away by train — if you have time. Casablanca rewards fans who look beyond the obvious, and its energy is infectious.

Food, money and where to stay

Moroccan food is one of the great cuisines of the world, and Casablanca is a superb place to eat it: tagines, couscous, pastilla and fresh seafood from the Atlantic, all at prices far lower than in Spain or Portugal. The city's restaurants range from street stalls in the medina to elegant French-Moroccan dining, and the mint tea is a ritual worth learning. Alcohol is available in hotels and licensed restaurants, but not everywhere.

Morocco uses the dirham, and cash is still king in markets and smaller shops, so carry local currency. Hotels in Casablanca range from international chains to small riads, and the best areas to stay are the city centre and the Corniche. Book early, because the tournament will fill the city, and check whether your hotel offers an airport shuttle — Casablanca's airport is about 30 kilometres from the centre.

Practical tips for Morocco

A passport is required to enter Morocco, and many nationalities can enter without a visa for short stays, but check the rules for your country well before travelling. The official languages are Arabic and French, and French is widely spoken in Casablanca, so a few French phrases go a long way. The weather in June and July is warm and dry, with Atlantic breezes keeping Casablanca cooler than the inland cities.

Respect local customs: dress modestly outside the tourist areas, ask before photographing people, and be aware that Friday is the main day of prayer. Morocco is a welcoming country, and fans who show respect will find extraordinary hospitality. And as everywhere at the tournament, buy match tickets only through FIFA.com. Casablanca in 2030 will be an adventure — prepare well and enjoy it.

Casablanca in 2030 will be the most dramatic stage of the World Cup: a brand-new giant stadium, a city where two continents meet, and a Moroccan team playing at home. It will be the trip of a lifetime for the fans who make the journey.