Spain is moving forward with plans to establish a direct train link to Morocco, aiming to complete the project by the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The idea of constructing a rail tunnel between Spain and Morocco first surfaced in 1979 but had remained dormant until recently, when Spanish authorities began actively promoting the initiative.
If realized, the project is expected to be completed in time for the 2030 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. The proposed tunnel under the Strait of Gibraltar would create a new rail connection between the two countries, with stops in Madrid and Casablanca, about 300 kilometers south of Tangier. The entire train journey would likely take around five and a half hours, offering a more environmentally friendly travel option.
The tunnel would span 27.6 kilometers, running from Punta Paloma in Tarifa, Spain, to Punta Malabata in Tangier, Morocco. Preliminary estimates suggest that the construction could cost billions of euros, prompting both countries to evaluate the economic benefits of the project.
The project is expected to take up to five years to complete, potentially making it operational by the 2030 World Cup.
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Currently, a flight between Madrid and Tangier takes approximately one and a half hours, while the journey, including a ferry crossing, takes about nine hours.
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