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morocco ready to host Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) The event, starting on Sunday, is seen as an important step in its ambitious journey to become a global football powerhouse and an important dress rehearsal for its co-host duties at the 2030 World Cup.
The North African nation, which reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, will welcome 24 teams from across the continent, using nine new or revamped teams. stadiums In six cities.
This is only the second time Morocco has hosted the biennial tournament, yet it comes amid a period of intense football engagement.
The country regularly hosts “home” games for other African nations during World Cup qualifiers and recently won the rights to host the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in July, as well as five consecutive Under-17 Women’s World Cups.
Officials openly pitch this Afcon as a high-visibility dry run for the 2030 World Cup, where Morocco will serve as primary co-hosts along with Spain and Portugal, with Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay hosting one match each.
The cornerstone of Morocco’s grand vision is the planned Hassan II Stadium, which is projected to become the world’s largest football arena with a capacity of 115,000 when completed in 2028.
This new national stadium marks one of Africa’s most aggressive infrastructure campaigns.
In addition to sports, Morocco has experienced rapid growth in various sectors, updating airports, expanding the high-speed rail network, and attracting major tourism investment in cities such as marrakech and Tangier, all aimed at accommodating the increase in visitors.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has simultaneously invested heavily in youth development and coaching, with the aim of raising standards throughout the game.
A prime example of this is the magnificent Mohammed VI Football Complex located nearby RabatWhich serves as a training base for the senior national team during the Africa Cup of Nations. This commitment to nurturing young talent seems to be yielding results.
Morocco’s historic victory in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals was the first for any African or Arab team, and the nation further cemented its rising status by winning the Under-20 World Cup in October.
Royal Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Leqza expressed this ambition in the French sports paper L’Equipe in July, saying: “This is not a dream, we have legitimate ambitions.”
Lexja, who also manages budget matters within the Cabinet of the Moroccan Prime Minister, sees sport as an important engine for economic growth.
However, these significant investments have not been without controversy, sparking heated debate about the country’s priorities.
While thousands of visitors will encounter areas rich with hotels, restaurants, new roads and other tourist infrastructure, vast swathes of the country offer a stark contrast.
In rural areas, far from financial centres, residents often complain of neglect and lack of investment, citing important issues such as health care, literacy and employment.
during “Gen ZIn demonstrations earlier this year, protesters notably chanted, “The stadiums are here but where are the hospitals,” directly linking substantial football investment to wider social inequalities.
Young people in particular express frustration over overcrowded schools, poor hospitals and inconsistent basic services.
The government of Prime Minister Aziz Akhnouch has faced accusations of spending billions on prestige projects such as stadiums rather than addressing immediate social needs.
Several members of the Morocco national team publicly supported these protests. In October, King Mohammed VI stressed that these two categories of development were not mutually exclusive or in competition.
The tournament also comes as Morocco is actively working to strengthen its position as a regional power.
Through its “Atlantic Initiative”, the country has sought to deepen ties with landlocked countries in West and Central Africa, expand the reach of its banking and telecommunications industries, and offer access to newly constructed ports without coastlines.
Morocco’s normalization of relations with Israel has strengthened its relations with the United States and has gained majority support. European Union Members regarding its sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara.
However, the issue remains a source of tension with Algeria, despite a UN Security Council resolution this year, which Morocco interpreted as a breakthrough.
The Polisario Front, based in southern Algeria, continues to advocate for the independence of the region.
Furthermore, while Morocco has offered tourist visas to spectators attending the Africa Cup of Nations, it has taken steps in recent years to curb migration from some participating countries.
For example, visa requirements for Ivorian citizens were reinstated last year partly to curb irregular migration efforts.
Morocco has long been regarded as the gateway to Europe, sharing a border with the EU via the Spanish territories of Ceuta and Melilla on the North African coast and Spain’s Canary Islands, about 100 kilometers away.
The state has been criticized by migrant rights groups for its aggressive enforcement measures, including clearing camps and relocating migrants to remote areas far from European borders.
The Rabat branch of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights reported an increase in arbitrary arrests and forced expulsions of migrants this week ahead of the Africa Cup.
The Africa Cup of Nations final is scheduled for January 18 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, which began in September.