As Morocco gears up to host over ten official matches in June as part of various African competitions, the nation is solidifying its status as a central hub for continental football. This extensive schedule highlights a well-considered diplomatic approach, leveraging football as a tool for influence adn fostering stronger relationships with African nations.

The country is set to welcome more than a dozen friendly matches between african national teams in June 2025. In addition to the games featuring the Atlas Lions, this activity underscores Morocco’s role as a key base for numerous teams across the continent, where they can play their “home” matches. This arrangement is facilitated by cooperation agreements between the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and several other African federations.

Matches are scheduled to take place in Berrechid, mohammedia, and Casablanca, featuring teams from Burundi, Guinea-Bissau, Gabon, Niger, Sudan, Zambia, Mauritania, central African Republic, Burkina faso, Zimbabwe, and Tunisia.

Morocco has progressively become a preferred destination for African national teams, reinforcing its position as a “rear base” for continental football. This is due to a extensive strategy that combines sports diplomacy, significant infrastructure investments, and tailored services for African teams.

The FRMF’s Pan-African Partnerships

The vision carried by the FRMF is to offer a full offer of services to African selections.

as 2015, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has actively pursued cooperation and exchange programs with African federations, a trend that intensified following Morocco’s re-entry into the African Union on January 30, 2017. This return prompted widespread mobilization across political, economic, and sporting sectors. Currently,the FRMF has over 43 partnerships with its African counterparts,starting with the initial agreements signed in June 2015 with Burkina Faso,Gambia,Rwanda,and Burundi.

The FRMF aims to provide comprehensive services to African teams, including access to training centers for readiness, technical training for referees and coaches, sports management support, youth talent development through specialized programs, financial assistance, and Moroccan expertise in sports medicine.

Morocco: A Strategic Sports Centre

Beyond its network of partnerships, Morocco is investing in advanced football infrastructure to support its continental ambitions. With the CAN 2025 and the 2030 World Cup in mind, the kingdom has allocated nearly 20 billion dirhams to upgrade six major stadiums in Tangier, Casablanca, Rabat, Agadir, Marrakech, and Fès. Additionally, a new 115,000-seat stadium is planned for Benslimane, potentially becoming the world’s largest and a possible venue for the World cup final.

the Mohamed VI complex, inaugurated in Casablanca in 2019, exemplifies Morocco’s football ambitions. Covering over 35 hectares with a 60 million euro investment, it is described as the world’s largest football training center. Its facilities include five hotels, eleven fields (including one covered), and a state-of-the-art medical center.

The grand Stadium of Tangier, with a capacity of 75,600 seats, has undergone significant modernization, including the removal of the athletics track, expansion and coverage of the stands, and development of VIP areas. It now meets CAF and FIFA standards for hosting CAN 2025 and 2030 World Cup matches.The Olympic Stadium in Rabat, part of the Moulay Abdellah complex, with approximately 21,000 seats, will also host CAN 2025 games. These investments provide African teams with facilities comparable to those in leading football nations, making Morocco a preferred destination.

Morocco’s geographical proximity to Europe, being less than three hours from major European cities, simplifies logistics for teams with players in European clubs. This reduces travel fatigue,increases training time,and allows for quicker player releases. The Moroccan climate, especially in spring and early summer, is similar to that of Mediterranean Europe, offering a familiar environment without extreme heat or humidity.

Morocco also streamlines customs and administrative procedures, facilitating the association of training camps and matches. The federations also value the ease of finding local opponents, as many African teams choose Morocco, increasing opportunities for quality friendly matches.

These efforts demonstrate how Morocco is using football as a diplomatic tool, strengthening its regional leadership and ties with African nations, and establishing itself as a key pillar of African football.

Sports Diplomacy in Action

Sport is deeply ingrained in Morocco’s national culture and identity.The kingdom has become a recognized host for sporting events, with sports diplomacy playing a key role in enhancing Morocco’s position across various sectors. This strategy supports national interests, including the protection of its territorial integrity, and aims to strengthen Morocco’s global leadership, notably in Africa.

International media and several African nations, along with CAF, have acknowledged Morocco’s experience in organizing major international sporting events, reflecting the country’s success in reconnecting with and convincing other states of its regional influence through sport.

Morocco actively uses sports diplomacy to promote its position on the issue of Moroccan Sahara, including hosting international sporting events in the southern provinces. These events showcase Morocco’s sports ambitions and its broader economic, political, and social goals.