Morocco has announced that it will no longer bid to host African football competitions as it shifts its focus towards major global tournaments, according to the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa.
Speaking on the country’s future football plans, Lekjaa said Morocco intends to concentrate its administrative, financial and infrastructural resources on hosting some of the world’s biggest football events, including the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The decision marks a significant change for a country that has become one of Africa’s leading hosts of international football competitions in recent years.
Morocco has invested heavily in modern stadiums, training facilities, roads, airports and accommodation infrastructure, helping it earn a reputation as one of the continent’s most prepared nations for major sporting events.
Morocco’s football profile has risen sharply over the past decade. The country’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar made it the first African and Arab nation to reach that stage of the competition.
Since then, Morocco has continued to strengthen its position within global football through strategic investments and successful tournament hosting.
The North African nation is also preparing to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, a project expected to attract billions of dollars in investment and millions of visitors.
Authorities have already begun upgrading existing stadiums and developing new sports infrastructure ahead of the tournament.
Lekjaa believes focusing on global competitions will allow Morocco to maximise the benefits of its investments and further establish itself as a major destination for international sports events.
The announcement means Morocco will no longer compete to host tournaments organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), creating opportunities for other African countries to stage continental competitions such as the Africa Cup of Nations and the CAF Champions League finals.
