The grandiose construction project of an underwater tunnel, which is designed to connect Europe and Africa, is gaining momentum. This tunnel, which will be a direct route between Spain and Morocco, could become a reality by 2030, making travel between the continents even more convenient.
According to the Daily Star, the project aims to complete construction before the start of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, when the competition will take place on the fields of Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
The Moroccan National Company for the Study of the Straits (SNED) has begun to study the strategic aspects of the project, including its financial aspects. According to experts, the cost of the project may reach about 6 billion euros, but the exact amount has not yet been confirmed and may be changed in the future.
In March, Morocco's Minister of Water Resources and Equipment, Nizar Baraka, met with Spain's Minister of Transport, Oscar Puente, to discuss details of the project.
The possibility of building an underwater tunnel through the Strait of Gibraltar, which is the shortest route between the two countries, is under consideration. The tunnel is planned to be about 17 miles (27 km) long and up to 1,550 feet (472 m) deep.
The project envisages the possibility of transporting about 12.8 million passengers annually, which can facilitate trade relations between the countries. With the 2030 FIFA World Cup being held in three countries, this tunnel could be a convenient transportation option for soccer fans.
Currently, tourists wishing to travel between Spain and Morocco have two main options. They can book a plane ticket between Madrid and Tangier, which takes about 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can choose to travel by car with a ferry crossing, but this takes 9-12 hours depending on the route. The planned railway tunnel, even taking into account the stops, will allow high-speed trains to arrive in about 5.5 hours. 
