New Delhi, Dec. 19 -- The Africa Cup of Nations begins Sunday with host Morocco aiming to put on a spectacle befitting its quest to become a global soccer power.

The four-week tournament has been framed as a high-visibility dress rehearsal for the World Cup in 2030, when Morocco will be one of the main co-hosts, and the kingdom has embarked one of the most aggressive infrastructure programs in African sporting history to prepare.

Twenty-four teams from across the continent will compete in nine new or completely renovated stadiums in six cities. Morocco is among the favorites after its unprecedented run to the 2022 World Cup semifinals.

Defending champion Ivory Coast enjoyed a hardly believable run to the title as host last time out, an...