Beyond its recent successes, the Kingdom continues its steady rise on the global stage—a progression that goes far beyond the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) and extends to the organization of the 2030 World Cup, the channel noted in an article titled “AFCON 2025: Morocco Has Become the Driving Force of African Football.”
On December 14, 2022, Morocco became the first African nation ever to reach a World Cup semi-final. The national team, now ranked 12th in the FIFA standings, has become a symbol of success and a powerhouse for football across the continent.
As AFCON 2025 approaches and the Kingdom prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, this achievement is the result of a development strategy implemented more than a decade ago, the article explained.
Citing sports geopolitics expert Jean-Baptiste Guégan, France 24 recalled that “His Majesty King Mohammed VI launched, ten years ago, a strategy aimed at developing sports infrastructure, most notably the Mohammed VI Football Academy.”
Located on an 18-hectare site in Salé, the academy has produced several key players for the national team, including Nayef Aguerd (Olympique de Marseille), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona), and Youssef En-Nesyri (Fenerbahçe).
Morocco has also invested heavily in training its technical staff and modernizing its sports facilities in preparation for AFCON 2025 and the 2030 World Cup. The stadiums of Rabat and Tangier have been fully renovated, while a new ultra-modern 115,000-seat stadium—one of the largest in the world—is currently under construction in Benslimane, near Casablanca.
These projects are part of a broader development policy that includes the construction of highways, the expansion of the high-speed rail network, and the doubling of airport capacities—all investments contributing to the country’s growing influence.
“Morocco has chosen to use sport as a lever for development. At the African level, this is something unprecedented,” observed Jean-Baptiste Guégan.
On the sporting front, the results speak for themselves. The Moroccan league ranks among Africa’s best. Raja Casablanca won the CAF Confederation Cup in 2021, Wydad Casablanca was crowned African champion in 2022, and later represented the continent at the Club World Cup this summer in the United States.
Morocco’s national teams have also shined: the Atlas Lions’ historic World Cup semi-final, the Lionesses’ appearance in the 2024 Women’s AFCON final, and a third title at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for local players.
The organization of AFCON 2025 in Morocco, France 24 stressed, is no coincidence. Beyond sports, the Kingdom has positioned itself as a regional diplomatic power, using football as a tool of influence and soft power. A prime example of this is the opening last July of FIFA’s first North African regional office near Rabat—a strong signal of trust in the country.
Finally, the channel concluded, Morocco stands today as a true bridge between Africa and Europe, as illustrated by its co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
“Thanks to political stability, tourism appeal, and an ambitious development plan, Morocco is now, more than ever, the driving force of African football,” summed up France 24.
Editorial team/le7tv