pwshub.com

Inside the world's biggest football stadium

Featuring a vast tented roof rising above the desert - and two ends holding close to 30,000 - this is how the world's biggest football stadium will look.

The architects who drew up plans for a new Old Trafford for Manchester United have been tasked with creating a staggering, 115,000-capcity stadium fit to host the 2030 World Cup final.

And dramatic images, shared with Mail Sport, show exactly how Morocco's Grand Stade Hassan II will dominate the landscape when a huge project becomes a reality.

The venue, based outside Casablanca, draws inspiration from the country's traditional social gatherings, known as a 'moussem'. The roof will be made from a unique aluminium lattice, while each end of the huge stadium will hold 29,500 fans over three steep tiers. Five levels of hospitality will welcome 12,000 corporate customers, along with a royal box.

The stadium has been designed by Populous, who were brought in by the Glazers to carry out a feasibility study on a new or refurbished Old Trafford for Manchester United. They worked in conjunction with Paris-based architects Oualalou + Choi.

The stadium, designed by Populous, will hold 115,000 and may host the 2030 World Cup final 

The venue, based outside Casablanca, draws inspiration from the country's traditional social gatherings

The venue will also feature 32 stairways to a number of gardens on raised platforms, 28 metres above the ground. 

Morocco is hosting the World Cup along with Spain and Portugal and officials hope the stadium will stage the final. It will also serve as the home of two local clubs.

Work is due to start on a 100-hectare site to the north of Casablanca, in the near future after public financing was approved last year. 

Populous may well be asked to create a new home for United should the club find sufficient funding although, as Mail Sport revealed, the job could be given to award-winning Mancunian architect Sir Norman Foster.

Christopher Lee, Managing Director at Populous, said: 'The Grand Stade Hassan II will be a truly iconic, landmark venue for Morocco and for football itself, that will become one of the great stadia of the world.'

Tarik Oualalou, Design Principal and founding partner at Oualalou + Choi and Lead Architect for the project, added: 'The Grand Stade Hassan II is deeply rooted in Moroccan culture, with its traditions and contemporary expressions. 

'It is rooted in ancient and primordial figures: the Moussem, the tent, and the garden, as well as the topography and landscapes of Morocco. It's a generous space, open to the world and respectful to the Nature it protects. The Grand Stade Hassan II de Casablanca is the embodiment of the great tradition of Moroccan hospitality.'

Source: dailymail.co.uk

Related stories
1 month ago - MIKE KEEGAN: United could still opt to redevelop Old Trafford, of course, but should they take the plunge on a new ground it will be the biggest, most expensive project of its kind Britain has seen.
1 week ago - MATT BARLOW: It is the nature of a new town. Those who have made it their home will have roots somewhere else and football loyalties are easy reinforcements for lost identity.
6 days ago - IAN LADYMAN: By his own admission, Carsley - filling the void left by Southgate's resignation after Euro 2024 - is a doer rather than a talker.
1 month ago - Only four days left for chairman John Bennett to come out with the 'fuller, personal update' promised on his chaos-stricken club.
1 day ago - MAN UNITED CONFIDENTIAL: Goalkeepers normally do their homework on potential penalty-takes - but Onana was nearly caught out by Cameron Archer
Other stories
4 minutes ago - ISAAN KHAN IN BERGAMO: Ahead of their opening match against Atalanta tonight, Mikel Arteta's side are no longer newcomers on this stage.
4 minutes ago - The video is mesmerising. Full of lively music, twinkling sounds and graphics that revolve as quickly as a fruit machine, UEFA pulled no punches to launch what they are calling 'the new beginning.'
1 hour ago - An embarrassing late blunder for a former Premier League stopper gifted Paris St Germain a 1-0 home victory over Champions League debutants Girona on Wednesday night.
1 hour ago - The legendary rock and roll band recently announced the group - led by City fanatic brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher - are getting back together and the club have got in on the action.
1 hour ago - Haaland was kept quiet on a night in which he missed out on his 100th goal for the club but he was all smiles during an animated chat with Acerbi after the final whistle.