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Rabat — Sweden’s Ambassador to Morocco, Fredrika Ornbrant, visited the 2026 World Cup Rural Fan Zone in Beni Mellal on Wednesday, where she emphasized the transformative power of sport in promoting youth empowerment, social inclusion, and gender equality.
Organized by Tibu Africa with the support of the Embassy of Sweden in Morocco, the event brought together local residents, young beneficiaries, families, coaches, and international students to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between Morocco and Haiti.
During her visit, Ambassador Ornbrant commended Tibu Africa’s efforts to empower young people through sport, describing the organization’s work as “truly inspiring.”
“It’s truly inspiring to see how an organization like Tibu Africa is working with young people here in Beni Mellal,” Ornbrant told Morocco World News (MWN), praising the organization’s commitment to helping youth develop skills, talents, and self-confidence through sports-based initiatives.
The ambassador also highlighted the achievements of Morocco‘s national football team as a source of inspiration for young people, emphasizing the importance of dedication, perseverance, and hard work in achieving success.
Ornbrant placed particular emphasis on the inclusion of women and girls in sports, stressing that greater participation in sporting activities contributes to building more equitable and inclusive societies.
“I think it’s particularly important that Tibu Africa is working to encourage women and girls to be involved and engage in sports,” she said, adding that such initiatives help foster social inclusion and empower communities.
For Tibu Africa founder Amine Zariat, the event represented far more than a football screening. “Tibu is a non-profit organization. We use sports as a tool for education, employability, and social entrepreneurship,” Zariat told MWN.
Read also: World Cup: Morocco Defeats Haiti 4-2
He described the ambassador’s visit as an opportunity to celebrate both the spirit of the World Cup and the longstanding friendship between Morocco and Sweden.
According to Zariat, discussions during the visit focused on sport’s role in employability, social entrepreneurship, and women’s empowerment. He also revealed that Tibu Africa and the Swedish Embassy are exploring future collaborations aimed at unlocking the potential of Moroccan youth through new programs.
“We are discussing with Sweden Embassy to develop more programs to unlock the potential of youth in Morocco,” he said.
The fan zone also served as a platform for intercultural exchange. Among those attending was Jeffson Beaucicot, a Haitian student studying in Morocco, who described the experience as memorable.
“I think Morocco is a very beautiful country,” Beaucicot said, expressing appreciation for the warm atmosphere and the opportunity to meet Ambassador Ornbrant while watching the Morocco-Haiti match alongside members of the local community.
Despite Haiti’s defeat, Beaucicot celebrated his country’s performance, saying he was pleased to see the team score twice during what he described as “a very great game.”
As hundreds of supporters gathered to watch the match, the event showcased how sport can transcend competition, bringing together diverse communities while strengthening international friendship and social cohesion.
