The FIFA World Cup 2026 was far more than the world’s biggest football tournament. It was a celebration of cultures, nations and stories that stretched across North America. For Le7TV, it became an extraordinary journalistic mission, producing one of the most ambitious international coverages ever undertaken by a Moroccan sports media outlet.
The journey began in the heart of New York City’s iconic Times Square, where thousands of supporters from every corner of the globe transformed the famous square into football’s international meeting point. Through dozens of street interviews, Le7TV captured the emotions, expectations and dreams of fans representing every continent, offering audiences a unique perspective on the atmosphere surrounding the tournament.
From New York, the coverage moved to Boston, where Le7TV documented the excitement surrounding Morocco’s campaign while also conducting exclusive interviews beyond the football environment. Among the highlights was the meeting with Revere Mayor Patrick M. Keefe Jr., reflecting the strong ties between Morocco and the United States and the growing international profile of the tournament.
The journey then continued to Atlanta, where Mayor Andre Dickens shared his vision for one of the tournament’s host cities and discussed the impact of hosting the world’s greatest sporting event.
The next destination was Monterrey, Mexico, where Le7TV conducted an exclusive interview with Samuel García, Governor of Nuevo León, offering viewers an inside perspective on one of the tournament’s major host cities. Monterrey also highlighted Morocco’s growing international presence through a series of exclusive political and sporting interviews.
From Monterrey, the mission continued to Houston, another key World Cup city, where Le7TV produced exclusive reports and interviews while documenting the atmosphere surrounding Morocco’s journey. Houston further reinforced the international dimension of the coverage, bringing together football, diplomacy and the Moroccan community.
The World Cup mission also provided an opportunity to highlight Morocco’s diplomatic presence across North America. During the tournament, Le7TV had the honour of conducting exclusive interviews with Youssef Amrani, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United States; Abdel Fattah Labbar, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Mexico; and Shafiqa El Habti, Consul General of the Kingdom of Morocco in Miami. These conversations offered valuable insights into Morocco’s growing international role, the mobilisation of Moroccan diplomatic missions in support of the Moroccan community throughout the tournament, and the importance of football as a bridge between cultures and nations. By bringing together sport, diplomacy and international cooperation, these interviews reflected Le7TV’s commitment to delivering coverage that extended well beyond the action on the pitch.
As Morocco progressed in the competition, the team returned to Boston, where the final chapter of the reporting mission unfolded. The return to Massachusetts allowed Le7TV to continue covering Morocco’s historic World Cup journey while following every major development through the decisive stages of the tournament.
One of the most emotional moments of the assignment was the visit to the resting place of Mohamed Jarir, affectionately known as “Hmman,” one of the true pioneers of Moroccan football. Hmman made history at the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico by scoring Morocco’s first-ever goal in the competition against West Germany, becoming the first Moroccan player to score in a FIFA World Cup. Paying tribute to his legacy served as a powerful reminder that Morocco’s modern football achievements are built upon the sacrifices and vision of the generations who paved the way.
The coverage also featured exclusive meetings with members of Morocco’s legendary 1986 FIFA World Cup team, connecting the country’s greatest football achievement with a new generation determined to create history.
Throughout the competition, Le7TV maintained a strong presence inside FIFA’s official media centres, covering every stage of the tournament through pre-match and post-match press conferences. Every question was designed to go beyond the final score, providing context, analysis and added value for football supporters while enriching discussions before and after the matches. This editorial approach reflected Le7TV’s commitment to in-depth, meaningful sports journalism.
The World Cup also became an opportunity to showcase Moroccan journalism on the international stage. During the tournament, Le7TV participated in interviews and collaborations with internationally recognised media, including Britain’s The Mirror, Canada’s TSN and leading Dutch television coverage, reflecting the growing visibility of Moroccan sports journalism across the global media landscape.
The journey was further enriched by memorable meetings with some of football’s greatest personalities, including Fernando Hierro, the legendary former captain of Spain, Real Madrid icon and former Real Madrid head coach, as well as Carles Puyol, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, Ronaldinho and Clarence Seedorf. These encounters offered Le7TV exclusive opportunities to engage with some of the game’s most respected figures while bringing Moroccan audiences closer to football’s biggest names.
A special tribute goes to Younes Bougrine, Director of AutoNation in Atlanta and one of Morocco’s inspiring international success stories. His generosity, friendship and unwavering support throughout the FIFA World Cup played an invaluable role in the success of this journalistic mission. His guidance and assistance helped facilitate several important moments during the tournament, including the memorable meeting with Fernando Hierro, the legendary former captain of Spain, Real Madrid icon and former Real Madrid head coach. Le7TV also extends its sincere appreciation to Younes Bougrine for his professionalism, hospitality and commitment, which contributed significantly to the success of this international reporting mission.
Beyond the interviews and official engagements, every city visited offered an opportunity to tell a different story—through supporters, members of the Moroccan diaspora, local communities and football enthusiasts united by their passion for the beautiful game. Together, these encounters transformed the coverage into much more than match reporting; they became a portrait of football’s unique ability to connect people, cultures and nations.
From Times Square to Boston, Atlanta, Monterrey, Houston and back to Boston, from city halls to diplomatic missions, from FIFA press conference rooms to exclusive meetings with football legends, Le7TV documented not only the matches but also the people, the stories and the defining moments of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
More than a sporting event, this mission demonstrated Moroccan journalism’s growing international reach and its ability to deliver credible, insightful and exclusive reporting from football’s biggest stage.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be remembered for unforgettable matches and historic achievements. For Le7TV, it will also be remembered as a remarkable journalistic journey that carried Morocco’s voice across North America and onto the global stage, reaffirming the role of Moroccan media as an increasingly respected contributor to international sports journalism.
Ahmed Talal-Le7tv