With an impressive lineup of continental and international soccer events scheduled in 2025, Morocco is emerging as a global sports hub, experts are saying.
Backed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA, the country is hosting four major tournaments this year: the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The first tournament, the U-17 AFCON, runs from March 30 to April 19. The draw to finalize the competition’s 24-team lineup is scheduled for January 27 in Rabat.
The second, the 16th annual Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, will run from July 5 to 26. Building on the success of the 2022 edition, that tournament will feature 12 teams, including the Moroccan women’s squad, placed in Group A with Zambia, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, will take place from October 17 to November 8. For the first time, that tournament will expand to include 24 teams.
The year will culminate with the 35th Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. This is the second time Morocco is hosting the prestigious competition, the last being more than thirty years ago in 1988. Matches will take place across six major venues: Tangier, Agadir, Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Complex, Marrakech, Fez, and Casablanca’s Mohammed V Complex.