The youth and sports ministry official said the project was opened by King Mohammed of Morocco during a visit to the business capital of Casablanca.
"It is an 80,000-seat stadium which is expected to be completed in 2002," the official said.
"All equipment fully complies with (soccer ruling body) FIFA requirements as part of our preparations to host the World Cup," he added.
Morocco has several soccer stadiums, but only the 90,000-seat Mohammed V stadium in Casablanca and the 70,000-seat Moulay Abdallah stadium in Rabat comply with FIFA requirements.
Driss Benhima, head of Morocco's World Cup 2006 Association bid team, has said that the country planned to invest $560 million in infrastructure projects to host soccer's most prestigious event.
King Mohammed, who is on an 11-day tour of Moroccan cities, is expected to launch works to build several stadiums, officials said.
Last month he ordered the government to allocate funds to the construction and renovation of stadiums and hotels in support of the Moroccan bid.
Morocco, England, Germany, Brazil and South Africa are all bidding to host the 2006 tournament.
Reuters
