In a move highlighting Morocco’s diplomatic and sporting dimensions, the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat hosted on Wednesday a meeting between Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and head of the local organizing committee for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and the African ambassadors accredited to the Kingdom. Representatives from the Ministry of Interior and other relevant sectors were also present, as part of a comprehensive preparation for the continental tournament scheduled for December.
During the meeting, Lekjaa provided a detailed briefing on the progress of preparations, emphasizing that Morocco approaches AFCON with a holistic vision grounded in clear royal directives, highlighting the country’s African dimension and reinforcing its role as a sporting and diplomatic actor on the continent. He stressed that successfully hosting the tournament would not only be a national achievement but also a gain for the entire African continent, reflecting Morocco’s ambition to strengthen bilateral cooperation and joint continental efforts in sport.
A key announcement made during the meeting was the creation of a joint communication and coordination cell between the local organizing committee and African diplomatic missions, aimed at facilitating logistical arrangements for participating teams and addressing any potential issues, including travel, accommodation, and infrastructure management. This initiative reflects Morocco’s understanding of the diplomatic and logistical dimensions essential to the success of any major sporting event, particularly AFCON, which unites diverse nations and communities.
The African ambassadors expressed satisfaction with Morocco’s preparations, praising the coordination among various national institutions and the systematic methodology adopted by the authorities, considering these measures as strong guarantees for a successful tournament. They also highlighted “the dynamism of sports infrastructure and the swift mobilization of competent institutions,” viewing these indicators as reflecting a new African vision in organizing major events, where the focus extends beyond sport to enhancing the continent’s positive global image.
From a historical perspective, this meeting fits within Morocco’s ongoing efforts to consolidate its role as a sporting and diplomatic power in Africa, following years of involvement in hosting continental competitions, while promoting cooperation among African countries across various sectors. AFCON 2025 thus presents an opportunity for Morocco to assert itself as a bridge between Africa and the world, offering an exemplary model of managing major sporting events.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Lekjaa reaffirmed that the tournament is “Africa’s property” and that Morocco is committed to its success in line with King Mohammed VI’s directives and the continent’s aspirations, positioning the Kingdom at the center of African media and diplomatic attention, and demonstrating its commitment to delivering a remarkable edition, both in sporting excellence and organizational, diplomatic, and continental vision.
