Morocco greenlights late-night café openings during the World Cup

Local authorities in several Moroccan cities have introduced exceptional measures extending the opening hours of cafés and restaurants late into the night, allowing fans to watch matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The decision comes in response to the time difference with the host countries, with some fixtures scheduled to kick off late in the evening or during the early hours of the morning.

In Marrakech, the City Council announced in an official statement that cafés and restaurants will be allowed to remain open until 4 a.m. from June 11 to July 19, 2026, to facilitate the viewing of World Cup matches throughout the tournament.

Meanwhile, the National Federation of Café and Restaurant Owners in Morocco said it had reached an agreement with public authorities enabling establishments across the sector to operate beyond their usual hours. The decision follows a series of meetings and consultations aimed at putting the necessary organizational and logistical arrangements in place.

The federation called on café and restaurant owners to contribute positively to this nationwide mobilization by enhancing service quality and reception conditions, ensuring the comfort of customers and football fans expected to gather in large numbers to watch the tournament.