Rabat: In a program titled “Morocco: 30 Days Before AFCON”, the French media outlet TV5 highlights the significant strides Morocco has made in establishing itself as a driving force in African football. The Kingdom is recognized as a leading figure in terms of infrastructure, with numerous African teams choosing to play or hold training camps within its borders.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the rise of Moroccan football can be attributed to strategic local training policies and the scouting of young dual nationals to create cohesive teams. Hervé Kouamou, a sports consultant for TV5, emphasizes that Morocco has been particularly successful in blending locally trained players with talents identified abroad. This strategy was evident when the U20 national team, comprising both locally nurtured and internationally scouted players, was crowned world champions in Chile.

Kouamou further highlights that Rabat has strategically positioned sport as a tool of soft power, using it as a means to communicate
with both the world and the African continent. The policy of hosting major sporting events is proving fruitful, with the Kingdom gearing up to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

For the upcoming edition of AFCON, scheduled from December 21 to January 18, TV5 reports that it will be a landmark event with six host cities accommodating 24 teams, divided into six groups, across nine stadiums. These venues have been either fully renovated or completely rebuilt, including the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Kouamou also notes that AFCON, coinciding with the end-of-year festivities, is set to be a major sporting and celebratory event, further enhancing Morocco’s stature on the global stage.