Rabat: The Mohammed VI Football Academy is emerging as a pivotal component of the “Morocco” brand, enhancing the country’s international standing, French weekly Le Point reports. Titled “Football: the Morocco brand,” the publication highlights how, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, Morocco’s soft power is undergoing a transformation. This shift is evident as the country prepares to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal, aligning with a broader development strategy envisioned by the Sovereign.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the accomplishments of the Moroccan national team since the 2022 World Cup represent a realization of this strategy, leveraging football’s global appeal as a powerful tool. Le Point emphasizes that significant investments have been made in training policies and resources, notably through the high-level Mohammed VI Academy. This effort extends to building and modernizing stadiums, establishing high-speed rail lines, a
nd creating the necessary infrastructure to accommodate millions of visitors.

The French weekly further discusses the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations, noting that this “made in Morocco” event offered a spectacular fusion of contemporary elements, popular music, and African cultural roots. As a host nation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and a co-organizer of the 2030 World Cup, Morocco has managed to transform its football jersey into a symbol of economic, diplomatic, and national identity, Le Point notes.

Describing the organization of the opening ceremony of the 34th edition as “mission accomplished,” the publication highlights the global reach of the event, with images of the 68,000-seat Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat seen worldwide. Le Point concludes that the Kingdom is setting new ambitions to build a competitive team capable of challenging football’s elite while hosting major international events in rapid succession.