"More than any other continental tournament, there is always a sense with the Africa Cup of Nations that it is a referendum on the continent's football generally. Perhaps it's because so many of the players are familiar to those who habitually watch the European leagues or the Champions League, but the question is less about individual quality of players that is a given than it is about organisation and structures."
"In Morocco at this year's edition of the tournament, there has been an extra element: the country's status as World Cup co-hosts with Spain and Portugal in 2030. What are facilities like? Is the infrastructure there? This question is readily answered: in terms of stadiums, pitches and hotels, Morocco is already well on the way to being able to stage the World Cup. All six cities hosting games at this Cup of Nations are candidates for 2030."
"The pitches have been uniformly excellent, despite unusually heavy rain, which may be one of the reasons for the predictability of this tournament so far (eight of Africa's 10 highest-ranked sides made the quarter-finals). The high-speed Al-Boraq rail service from Rabat to Tangier is exceptional and should be extended through Casablanca to Marrakech by 2030. The conventional trains are very good, though they would come under strain at a World Cup, and don't yet reach as far south as Agadir."
The Africa Cup of Nations acts as a referendum on the continent's football organisation and structures rather than solely player quality. Morocco's hosting shows substantial readiness: stadiums, pitches and hotels are largely prepared, with six Cup of Nations host cities already candidates for the 2030 World Cup. A new 115,000-capacity stadium is planned for Casablanca, with renovations for Agadir, Marrakech and Fez. Pitches have been uniformly excellent despite heavy rain. The high-speed Al-Boraq rail between Rabat and Tangier is exceptional, with planned extensions by 2030. Conventional trains and limited internal flights present potential transport challenges, though hotels are coping well.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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