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Rabat — France 24 published an article this Saturday speaking highly of Morocco’s remarkable progress in football.
The article described the North African country as a locomotive driving the sport across the continent.
Modern stadiums, world-class training facilities, and successful clubs now position Morocco as Africa’s football powerhouse, the French broadcaster reported.
The country’s rise extends far beyond upcoming tournaments, reaching the global stage as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
A historic milestone
Morocco achieved a breakthrough moment on December 14, 2022, when the country became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. Today, Morocco’s national team ranks 12th in the FIFA standings and represents a symbol of continental success.
The article referred to the sports geopolitics expert Jean-Baptiste Guégan, who spoke of the country’s football achievements, asserting that they reflect the success of a development strategy launched over a decade ago. King Mohammed VI established the Mohammed VI Football Academy, located on an 18-hectare site in Sale, which has produced several national team stars.
The article furthermore cited renowned Moroccan international players like Nayef Aguerd (Olympus Marseille), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona), and Youssef En-Nesyri (Fenerbahçe), who all emerged from this academy.
Building infrastructure for the future
Morocco invested heavily in upgrading its sports facilities ahead of the 2025 African Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup.
In doing so, the article referred to the country’s completely renovated stadiums in Rabat and Tangier. Construction crews are now building a new ultra-modern stadium near Casablanca that will hold 115,000 spectators — one of the world’s largest venues.
This football-driven development extends throughout Morocco. The country has simultaneously advanced its infrastructure; including the building of new highways, expansion of the high-speed rail network, and doubling airport capacity.
These projects reflect the North African country’s broader ambitions.
Guégan, a sports geopolitics expert cited in the article, noted this approach stands out on the continent. “Morocco chose to use sport as a development tool. At the African level, this is something we had never seen before,” he said.
Winning on the field
Morocco’s football results demonstrate this strategy’s success, as the country’s league ranks among Africa’s best, the article added. Raja Casablanca won the CAF Confederation Cup in 2021, while Wydad Casablanca became African champions in 2022 and represented the continent at the Club World Cup in the US last summer.
The national teams delivered historic performances, with the men’s team reaching the World Cup semi-final in Qatar in 2022. The women’s squad made the final of the 2024 African Cup of Nations.
Morocco also won its third title at the African Nations Championship for domestic players.
Diplomatic influence
Morocco’s hosting of the 2025 African Cup of Nations reflects its growing influence, according to France 24’s article. The country opens doors as a regional diplomatic power, using football as a tool of influence and prestige.
In July, FIFA opened its first regional office in North Africa near Rabat — a clear sign of confidence in Morocco’s capabilities.
The country also bridges Africa and Europe, sharing the 2030 World Cup with two European neighbors.
France 24 concluded that Morocco’s political stability, tourism appeal, and ambitious development plan make it “the locomotive of African football more than ever before.”
