Marrakech sets 4 am café hours while other cities weigh World Cup rules

Late World Cup kickoffs are forcing Moroccan cities to redraw café hours, with Marrakech authorizing 4 a.m. closing times and other councils weighing how far to extend match-night service without turning fan celebrations into neighborhood noise disputes

The measures are being handled locally, with different cities adopting different closing times rather than a single national rule.

Marrakech has formally extended café and restaurant opening hours until 4 a.m. from June 11 to July 19, saying the measure is intended to allow residents and visitors to follow World Cup matches during the tournament period.

In Agadir, a source from the communal council told Hespress cafés are expected to be allowed to remain open until 5 a.m. during the competition.

Ouarzazate has also extended café and restaurant hours until the end of World Cup match broadcasts, while Tangier is still discussing whether to adopt a similar measure and whether any extension should apply to all tournament matches or only Morocco’s games.

Casablanca has not yet taken a final decision. Karim Kelaibi, a member of the city council, said there is “no final or official decision” imposing exceptional closures or reduced café hours because of the World Cup.

He said any measure of that kind would have to follow legal and consultative procedures with local and regional authorities and be communicated clearly to the public.

Kelaibi added that the city council is weighing public interest, the needs of the tourism and services sectors, and the protection of public calm.

Interior Ministry sources said no national decision has been issued to close cafés and restaurants at night during Morocco’s World Cup participation, stressing that opening and closing hours fall mainly under decisions by territorial councils.

The same sources said local authorities have been instructed to intervene when citizen complaints are filed over nighttime disturbance, especially where loudspeakers or large outdoor screens affect nearby residents.