If one calls to mind the Qatar World Cup 2022 or the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations for U23, one should immediately recollect the Moroccan players’ accomplishments.
Following the success of Moroccan football players both nationally and internationally–particularly with respect to the National Football Team A and the U23 National Team–renowned global analysts and sports institutions alike have praised the role of training quality as it pertains to skill development.
One cannot attribute this success to mere happenstance. Rather, success requires concerted efforts and investments, particularly in regard to developing players with a unique touch.
These achievements are the deliberate outcome of a strategic policy designed to furnish the Kingdom with cutting-edge infrastructure and training centers. At the forefront of this success story is the Mohammed VI Football Academy (AMF).
Situated in Sala Al Jadida near Rabat, the AMF stands as a supplier of Moroccan stars, sought after by internationally recognized football clubs.
At a period when sports were failing in the country and somehow neglected, a royal letter opened an array of sports-related recovery and restructuring projects, presenting a road map for the Moroccan government to implement sport practice reform and development. The Monarch addressed a message to the participants of the National Sports Conference held in October 2008, in which he stated:
“Efforts should be made to create an effective model that allows for the development of elite sports and mass sports within a framework of harmony and coherence, giving them equal attention in public sports policies. Elite sports contribute to elevating national sports to high levels, serving as an exemplary model for the general public.”
Almost two years later, the AMF, a hub for training high-caliber athletes and sprawling across 18 hectares with a budget of 140 million MAD, welcomed its first cohort in September, 2009.
Stretched over 7,320 square meters, the covered section includes three wings–administrative, educational, and athletics–along with a football school, a student reception center, and a mosque.
With a capacity of 60-80 students who endure 4-5 years of scientific instruction, the academy aims to create top-tier professional athletes.
The administrative area, covering 782 square meters, includes offices, a conference room, and a reception hall, while the educational space, measuring 712 square meters, encompasses 10 classrooms, a language lab, a computer room, and school administration.
The institution also contains an overnight accommodations section spanning a total of 2,156 square meters, comprised of dozens of individual rooms.
Another wing, which measures 1,656 square meters, includes a gym, four locker rooms, a medical center, a rehabilitation center, and a space dedicated to homeopathic treatment.
The educational system intertwining sports and studies provides a football school for students under 12, while those aged 13-18 continue on the Mohammed VI Football Academy.
The AMF not only serves as a football development center, but also hosts international tournaments. The academy recently held the sixth edition of the U19 International Tournament from February 20-23, demonstrating its dedication to developing global football potential.
Originally designed for U17 teams in 2017, and thanks to the quality of its organization and the infrastructure it provides, the tournament has evolved into a prestigious U19 event, attracting elite football academies from around the world.
The tournament featured the participation of teams from a variety of countries all over the world. The 12 participating teams–representing 11 countries across four continents–included AFC Ajax (Netherlands); Fath Sporting Club (Morocco); Liverpool (England); Flamengo (Brazil), Sporting Braga (Portugal); Galatasaray (Turkey); Strasbourg (France); Aspire Academy (Qatar); Generation Foot (Senegal); FC Copenhagen (Denmark); Sevilla (Spain); and Mohammed VI Football Academy (Morocco).
In addressing the infrastructure and facilities at the Mohammed VI Academy for Football, Tarik El Khazri, Scout and U19 Coach, emphasized that world-class standards have been strictly adhered to since its inauguration. “Since the launch of the academy by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, it boasts top-notch sports facilities equaling global training centers,” he stated.
El Khazri elaborated, “In fact, the academy has become a global sports facility with high-quality amenities, such as a variety of pitches including natural and artificial turf, a sports hall for muscle strengthening, and additional facilities like the medical wing, educational facilities, and accommodation. This positions the academy as a leader not only in Africa, but also on the international stage when it comes to sports infrastructure.”
Regarding the academy’s participation in sports events, he highlighted its assembly of the sixth edition of an international tournament.
“In addition to hosting the sixth edition of an international league with the participation of 11 countries and 12 football teams, our academy consistently engages in both national and international events. This commitment ensures that our players gain valuable experience, facing challenges at both local and global levels, enhancing their overall development as footballers,” he explained.
Shifting the focus to the technical standards employed in player selection, the coach/scout outlined the meticulous criteria set forth by the Mohammed VI Academy.
“The Mohammed VI Academy and its technical management adhere to precise technical standards and a well-structured approach in selecting players. This is evident through the success of several academy graduates globally and within national teams,” he affirmed.
“There is considerable pressure from parents to fulfill the dream of passing through the academy since it has become the official gateway to accessing the world of high-level professionalism,” El Khazri added.
While discussing the expansion of the academy’s influence, he addressed the establishment of regional branches for talent scouting by specifying, “In addition to its central location, the academy has opened branches in various regions such as Tetouan, Fes, Oujda, Marrakech and Agadir, Khouribga, Dakhla, Laayoune, and two in Casablanca.”
El Khazri went on to proudly assert, “This strategic expansion ensures that talented young individuals from all corners of the country have the opportunity to join and benefit from the academy’s programs.”
He also noted, “Every child has the right to join, provided they demonstrate talent. . . The competition to join the academy is intense, with players undergoing regional and national tests, including physical, technical, psychological, and medical assessments, resulting in a limited number of successful candidates.”
Finally, when reflecting on the achievements of academy graduates on the international stage, El Khazri shared a sentiment of pride by noting the success stories of academy alumni. “It’s not uncommon to witness players like Youssef En-Nesyri, Azzedine Ounahi, and Nayef Aguerd, shining in European leagues and representing the national team,” he mentioned with a big smile.
In concluding, El Khazri took the opportunity to back up his assertions with numbers. “Forty-one other academy graduates are currently playing in the National First Division. This collective achievement fills all academy staff with pride and honor. Our players live at the academy 24/7 for a period ranging from 6-7 years, and as staff, we spend more than 12 hours with them. The feelings of pride intensify when we see them defending the colors of the national team in major football competitions such as the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup.”
Régis Arnould, Head Coach of the French Team Strasbourg, provided insights into his team’s experience at the tournament, noting their fourth participation. Recalling past achievements such as a third-place finish and a memorable finals appearance against Atletico two years ago, he highlighted their currently-held eighth position with a notably “young squad.”
“The positive aspect remains the opportunity to play on exceptional facilities,” he stated, while adding, “We genuinely enjoy the matches. The organization is commendable — impeccably managed (…). The fields are excellent, with added stands, ensuring a seamless experience regarding catering, transportation, and match logistics from the outset. Congratulations to the organizers.”
Konadu Don-Angelo, the man of the final match of the tournament–between FC Copenhagen and FC Ajax where the latter emerged victorious—declared, “This is my first time in Morocco with this tournament, a very beautiful tournament. With the team Ajax, we just won the final, and we are very proud of the team.”
Celebrating the victory in the final with Team Ajax, Don-Angelo conveyed immense pride in the team’s accomplishment and emphasized the importance of savoring the moment as he acknowledged the positive experience and the significance of the victory. “We need to enjoy the moment. Thank you for everything,” he beamed.
Along the same lines, Ajax’s head coach Frank PeerBoom warmly shared his delight in being in Morocco, and expressed gratitude at the opportunity to be immersed in the rich culture of the country.
He spoke enthusiastically about the city tour in Rabat, the cultural events, and the team’s diverse cultural makeup. Appreciating the experience, he specifically highlighted the valuable contributions of two Moroccan players within the team, commending them by saying, “They make an incredible impression here by translation and helping, like if they are members of the staff. Big hand for them.”
Transitioning to the tournament, Coach PeerBoom remarked on its overall level, noting the intriguing aspect of teams hailing from different continents. “The tournament was at a good level. An interesting part is that there are teams from different continents,” he said.
Discussing the final, he described it as exciting, featuring a formidable opponent. Summing up the victorious moment, he proudly exclaimed, “But we are the best. We like being the best. We are very happy and ready to celebrate it.”
Coach of FC Copenhagen, Morten Bisgaard, talked to us about his first experience at the Moroccan tournament while commending the atmosphere, stating “It’s my first time here in Morocco. The weather is nice, the pitches are good, and we faced very strong opponents from different continents.”
“We played against a Moroccan team, a team from Senegal, and today we faced Ajax and Flamingo,” he said.
The coach emphasized the significance of the tournament in offering playing time to each squad member, allowing them to demonstrate their capabilities, further noting, “Not everything was perfect, but I think we learned a lot, and we are happy with our performance. . . I think we showed that Copenhagen has a good football team.”
The academy’s unique training program, combined with advanced infrastructure and staff resources, is regarded as critical for national football growth and the development of budding football stars who enjoy success locally and globally.