Rabat –Spain’s Foreign Affairs Ministry released the 2026-2028 Public Strategy, which shows Morocco among Spain’s first priorities in its roadmap.
The report outlines how Madrid intends to expand its international influence through culture, education, diplomacy, and major global events.
The new strategy highlights Spain’s network of public schools abroad in Morocco — its largest educational footprint overseas — as a cornerstone of Madrid’s long-term diplomatic outreach.
The document states that the country’s international educational program brings the Spanish language to more than 2 million people each year. The Ministry of Education delivers instruction in over 5,000 schools across five continents, supported by nearly 10,000 teachers.
“This program is implemented through 18 state-run schools abroad, primarily located in Morocco, joint schools in Brazil and Argentina, Spanish Language and Culture Groups, Spanish Sections in European Schools, and partner schools and bilingual sections,” the strategy notes, adding that these institutions are designed to promote the Spanish language and deepen connections between future generations in both countries.
However, this diplomatic focus on Morocco comes amid growing domestic political opposition to joint cultural initiatives within Spain itself. Driven by conservative PP-VOX alliances, regional governments are actively dismantling the bilateral Arabic Language and Moroccan Culture Program (PLACM).
Following cancellations in Madrid and Murcia in late 2025, Andalusia is set to phase out the program across reportedly nearly 100 public schools by 2027–2028. Regional leaders justify the move as a defense of Spanish “customs and traditions.”
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The upcoming 2030 FIFA World Cup also takes on a broader diplomatic dimension. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents the tournament, which Spain will co-host with Portugal and Morocco, as more than a sporting event.
The new roadmap describes it as an opportunity to strengthen connectivity, attract investment, boost tourism, and showcase cooperation between Europe and Africa before a global audience.
“The tournament is expected to attract investment, boost tourism, and accelerate the transformation of the country’s sports industry. It will also serve as an example of international cooperation, as for the first time, a FIFA World Cup will be hosted by six countries across three continents, with Spain, Portugal, and Morocco serving as the main hosts, while the centenary matches will take place in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay,” the report reads.
However, discussions surrounding the host venues have already sparked debate. Former Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales recently claimed that Morocco verbally agreed via a handshake deal to let Spain host both the opening match and the final.
FIFA, however, has not officially selected the final venue. Reports emphasized Morocco is actively competing against Spain to host the prestigious final match at its new Grand Stade Hassan II near Casablanca
Spain’s strategy also reinforces Morocco’s place within Spain’s Mediterranean diplomacy, with cooperation on issues including energy, migration, climate action, water management, education, and intercultural dialogue.
The new 2026-2028 Spanish Public Diplomacy Strategy is set against a backdrop of diplomatic alignment between the two countries, following a push by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in January to position Morocco at the center of the EU’s southern neighborhood policy.
“It is urgent that the European Union updates its cooperation instruments to consolidate a peaceful and secure southern neighborhood,” Sánchez said.
Furthermore, a major summit took place in December where both countries signed 14 new cooperation deals spanning economic, social, diplomatic, agricultural, and security sectors.
