Rabat – Morocco’s emergence as one of world football’s rising powers did not happen overnight. According to Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) President Fouzi Lekjaa, the country’s recent achievements are the outcome of a long-term strategy built on governance reforms, youth development, infrastructure, and a culture of constant evaluation rather than short-term results.
Speaking in the documentary “Inside: L’essor du football marocain” made by Onze Mondial, Lekjaa rejected the notion that Morocco’s historic run to the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinals was a stroke of fortune. Instead, he described it as the product of years of carefully planned work that continues today.
Success is a process
“Success is never accidental,” Lekjaa said in the documentary, explaining that every achievement must be supported by planning, organization, and regular assessment.
For the FRMF president, Morocco’s football project has always extended beyond a single tournament. While the national team’s performances have drawn international attention in recent years, he argued that sustainable success depends on creating strong institutions capable of consistently producing elite players and competitive teams.
One of the pillars of that strategy has been investment in youth development. The documentary highlights Morocco’s emphasis on identifying talented players at an early age and providing them with the technical, educational, and medical support necessary to compete at the highest level.
Lekjaa also stresses that development cannot stop after achieving a major achievement.
According to him, every competition serves as an opportunity to analyze performances, identify weaknesses, and improve the federation’s methods. The objective is not simply to celebrate victories but to establish a system that evolves continuously.
“We evaluate every stage,” he explains, emphasizing that self-assessment has become an integral part of the federation’s management philosophy.
That mindset has shaped Morocco’s broader football ecosystem over the past decade.
Investment in infrastructures
The documentary points to investments in training centers, coaching education, and administrative reforms as key components of the country’s transformation. Facilities such as the Mohammed VI Football Complex are presented as a symbol of Morocco’s commitment to creating an environment where young players can develop under world-class conditions.
Rather than focusing exclusively on the senior men’s national team, the strategy aims to strengthen every level of Moroccan football, from youth categories to women’s football and domestic competitions.
The approach, Lekjaa argued, creates continuity. Success at the top becomes more sustainable when every layer of the football pyramid follows the same long-term vision.
Decision-making
The documentary also underlines the importance of stability in decision-making. Instead of reacting to individual results, Morocco has maintained a consistent roadmap, allowing projects to mature over time and produce lasting outcomes.
That philosophy gained worldwide recognition during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where Morocco became the first African and Arab nation to reach the semifinals. However, Lekjaa suggested the tournament should be viewed as confirmation of the country’s strategy rather than its final destination.
For him, the challenge now is ensuring that such achievements become the norm rather than exceptional moments.
The documentary portrays Morocco’s football model as one built on patience, accountability, and long-term investment. Instead of relying on individual generations of talented players, the federation seeks to establish a system capable of producing competitive national teams consistently over the coming decades.
As Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, Lekjaa believes the country must continue following the same path that brought it to global prominence.
