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IMAGO / Anadolu Agency
Country reports

Football as an instrument of Moroccan politics

by Steven Höfner, Pia Salbaum

Between the pitch and the world stage

When millions of eyes are focused on a football field, a sporting event is transformed into a global presentation area. At the end of 2025, Morocco will become the center of continental attention with the hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations. It is a significant trailblazer for the even bigger stage of the 2030 World Cup. Both tournaments offer the Kingdom the opportunity to present itself not only as a host, but also as an economically dynamic state. The two major events are already providing catalysts for billions of euros in investments in transport infrastructure, tourism and digitalization. Nevertheless, the political instrumentalization of sporting events also brings challenges. The decisive factor will be whether Morocco can use the political results of the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup to consolidate confidence in its economic potential in the long term and to resolve social tensions.

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Morocco is using football strategically as a tool of domestic and foreign policy, with the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 and the co-hosted FIFA World Cup 2030 (with Spain and Portugal) serving as major “showcases” on the global stage. Under the reign of King Mohammed VI, Morocco’s external strategy has shifted toward a multidimensional approach that combines political messaging with cultural symbolism, with a strong focus on Africa.

Hosting AFCON 2025 is a milestone and a test run for the logistical, infrastructural, and diplomatic demands of 2030. The World Cup bid is also signaling Morocco’s ambition to act as a bridge between Africa and Europe through cooperation, coordinated communication, and broader projects beyond sport. A central pillar is infrastructure-led modernization: plans include the “Grand Stade de Casablanca”, expanded high-speed railways, new highways, and digital platforms for ticketing, security, and tourism purposes. These are seen as catalysts for longer-term reforms and investment, supported by legal changes such as an updated investment charter and public–private partnership rules.

At the same time, there are significant risks: vulnerability to geopolitical shocks, dependence on external partners, and domestic legitimacy challenges if prestige spending deepens social tensions – especially amid youth protests, unemployment, inequality, and rising living costs.

The full country report is only available in German.

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Contact Steven Höfner
Steven Höfner
Head of the Morocco Office
steven.hoefner@kas.de

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