Morocco is becoming a major force in global football through strategic investments and ambitious plans, a transformation highlighted by The New York Times, which points to the country’s efforts in revitalizing infrastructure and using football for diplomacy and economic growth.
Entitled “How Morocco Became a Burgeoning Football Superpower,” the article points to Marrakech’s El Harti Stadium, once a neglected venue, as a symbol of Morocco’s football revival.
Renovated in 2018 with new seating, lighting, and irrigation, the stadium now hosts international teams, reflecting Morocco’s strategy to use football to build relationships across Africa and beyond.
The Grand Stade Hassan II, currently under construction near Casablanca, is Morocco’s most ambitious infrastructural project. With a planned capacity of 115,000, it will become the world’s largest football stadium and will host the final of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain.
The report notes that the next decade will be pivotal for Morocco’s football ambitions. In 2025, the country will host the African Cup of Nations for the first time since 1988 and five consecutive tournaments of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, starting that same year.
Rabat will also welcome global leaders and experts in April 2024 for the Global Football Summit.
Morocco’s performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where it became the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals, demonstrated the country’s investment in football. Players like Achraf Hakimi, born in Spain, demonstrated the strength of Morocco’s diaspora talent, with nearly 70% of the squad originating from Europe.
The Kingdom has invested heavily in talent development, with the Mohammed VI Football Academy near Rabat serving as the centerpiece of this strategy. The $65 million state-of-the-art facility is supported by five regional training centers, reflecting Morocco’s commitment to nurturing local talent.
By hosting CAF events and symposiums and establishing FIFA’s first permanent African office in Marrakech, Morocco has positioned itself as a leader and center for football governance on the continent.
The strategy aligns with Morocco’s broader goal of using football as a tool for soft power. The Ministry of Tourism recently reported that football is expected to increase the country’s visitor numbers to 17 million by 2026 and 26 million by 2030, up from 15 million in 2024.