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Rabat – UK’s national broadcaster BBC has commended Morocco’s remarkable progress in world football, describing it as the result of a long-term project launched under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
In its report on Morocco’s victory at the U20 World Cup in Chile, the British public broadcaster said that since 2008, Morocco has made football a key driver of social and economic development.
The BBC recalled that a year later, the Mohammed VI Football Academy was established, followed by the opening of the Mohammed VI Football Complex near Rabat in 2019, one of the most modern training centers in Africa.
The report noted that five players from the U-20 national team that won the World Cup graduated from the Mohammed VI Academy. The same institution also trained several members of the senior national team led by coach Walid Regragui, including Nayef Aguerd, Azzedine Ounahi, and Youssef En-Nesyri. These players were key figures in Morocco’s historic run to the semifinals of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Fathi Jamal, Director of Technèical Development at the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), told the BBC: “The Mohammed VI Football Academy has played a huge role. It has done an amazing job with young players.”
The BBC also highlighted the academy’s world-class facilities, which include eight training pitches, a gym, medical and recovery centers, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and a five-star hotel.
Beyond the academy, the FRMF has built regional training centers, invested in 7,000 amateur football fields, and focused on developing local coaches.
According to the BBC, Morocco has also allocated a large budget to upgrade and rebuild stadiums ahead of hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal. The broadcaster said that the 2025 AFCON in Morocco is expected to be “the most exciting edition ever.”
Reflecting on the U-20 team’s triumph, the BBC emphasized that Morocco aims to build on this success and strengthen its position as a “serious contender” in world football.
The outlet also mentioned the congratulatory message King Mohammed VI sent to the young Atlas Lions after their World Cup win.
MWN with MAP
