In 2022 Morocco became the first African and Arab national football team to reach a Fifa World Cup men’s semi-final; and Wydad AC won the Africa Champions League. The good news continued in 2023 with the women’s team making history by reaching the final 16 at the World Cup and the news that Morocco will host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament and co-host the 2030 men’s World Cup. Mahfoud Amara is an Arab world sport specialist. We asked him what’s behind Morocco’s success.
How has the country developed its national teams?
Football, one could argue, has been part of the fabric of Moroccan nationhood since independence in 1956. It has consistently held a prominent place on the agenda of the authorities, overseen by the Royal Institution or Makhzen. (Morocco has a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. The king holds significant powers, while political parties play a role in governance.)
