Football: Morocco Turns Away From Africa

Morocco no longer intends to play a supporting role in continental competitions. While it will host the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations until June 2, the country is gradually turning away from African tournaments, making a bid for the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations highly unlikely. The focus is now on international consecration, a strategic shift that illustrates Rabat’s determination to establish itself on the world football map.

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This strategic pivot has indeed strained relations with African governing bodies. According to Jeune Afrique, tensions have escalated between South African Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and Fouzi Lekjaâ, head of Moroccan football. The latter’s absence from the General Assembly in Dar es-Salaam on February 13, coupled with successive postponements requested by Rabat for the women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the futsal tournament, particularly irritated continental leadership.

Moroccan energy is now almost exclusively focused on organizing the 2030 World Cup, shared with Spain and Portugal. On this matter, the kingdom has no intention of playing a minor role alongside its European neighbors. Moroccans are eager to secure the organization of the opening match and, especially, the prestigious final at the future Hassan-II stadium in Benslimane with its 115,000 capacity. An ambitious goal that has Spain, also firmly in contention for these major matches, up in arms.

In the meantime, the country is openly positioning itself to host the FIFA Club World Cup in June and July 2029. Facing competition from Brazil, Qatar, Germany, Australia, and Great Britain, Morocco is studying a solo bid for a 32-team format, or a co-hosting arrangement with Spain if the competition expands to 48 clubs. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the head of the Moroccan federation are expected to continue discussions on this matter at the congress scheduled for April 30 in Vancouver.

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This flurry of major events is part of a long-standing deliberate sports diplomacy, driven by massive investments. "Football as an instrument of soft power was obvious in Africa, where this sport is by far the most popular," analyzes Jean-Baptiste Guégan, an expert in sports geopolitics. He believes that given the infrastructure built by the country, it is now "logical that it targets major world competitions" to maximize its international exposure.