Artificial intelligence driven predictive governance of stadium security in Morocco, France and Qatar ahead of AFCON 2025 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup

Abstract

Stadium security is increasingly shaped by the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI), yet little is known about how national governance structures influence its deployment. This study compares Morocco, France, and Qatar to examine how AI-assisted security systems are framed, regulated, and operationally integrated in three contrasting contexts. Using a purposive sample of 22 institutional and regulatory documents and 34 scientific sources, the analysis applies a seven-dimension framework covering legal foundations, technological capacity, institutional coordination, staff training, ethical safeguards, predictive mechanisms, and post-event learning. The results indicate substantial cross-national divergence in governance maturity and operational integration patterns. France benefits from a dense legal framework and strong ethical oversight, which both constrain and stabilize AI adoption. Qatar’s model reflects the specific pressures of hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022, leading to the rapid deployment of advanced, centralized monitoring infrastructures. Morocco presents an evolving configuration: legal foundations and institutional bodies are in place, but technological integration and coordination remain uneven across regions. Across all cases, the study identifies a persistent gap between the growing availability of AI tools and their use for long-term organizational learning. The findings highlight that AI-enabled stadium security depends less on technology itself than on the institutional environment that governs its use. As Morocco prepares for CAN 2025 and the 2030 World Cup, strengthening coordination, clarifying regulatory boundaries, enhancing training, and formalizing review processes appear essential. Beyond its empirical contribution, the study offers a conceptual framework that supports cross-national analysis of AI governance in large public venues.