The event, which will be the first World University Championships (WUC) of the year, is due to take place on March 7.

The new registration deadline is February 7.

"For the same reason, we decided to cancel the deposit fee as well," Adel Kamane, a member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), said.

"It might have been a barrier for some countries which did not have time to pay the individual sports deposit.

"All countries are being given the opportunity to pay the total participation fees on arrival.

"However, they have to confirm their participation."

To make the 2020 World University Cross-Country Championships more affordable and encourage more countries to take part, the LOC has also reduced the participation fees from €60 (£52/$67) to €40 (£34/$45).

The event will mark the first time that Morocco has hosted an International University Sports Federation (FISU) competition.

LOC is committed to making it a spectacular occasion and claims Morocco will put on a great show.

"We want to make it a real festival of sports," Kamane added.

"Student athletes will gather and have fun in the marvellous city of Marrakech."

In the 2020 WUC season, Argentina and Ukraine will also host FISU competitions for the first time.

Argentinean city La Plata will play host to the WUC Rugby Sevens from September 17 to 19, and Dnipro in Ukraine will welcome the WUC Waterski and Wakeboard from September 24 to 27.