Morocco will no longer bid to host African football competitions as the country shifts its focus towards staging major global tournaments, according to Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
Speaking on the Al Jazeera 360 platform, Lekjaa said Morocco's future hosting ambitions will be centred on FIFA competitions, including the FIFA World Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, rather than continental events.
“Morocco will no longer submit its candidacy to host any African competition. If other countries wish to organise them, they are free to do so,” Lekjaa said.
The announcement marks a significant shift for a country that has become one of Africa’s most active football hosts in recent years. Morocco successfully hosted the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after being awarded the tournament by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and has also staged several editions of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Lekjaa indicated that Morocco's attention is now firmly fixed on a packed international calendar that includes co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. He has been a central figure in Morocco's World Cup ambitions and currently chairs key committees linked to the tournament preparations.
The North African nation has invested heavily in football infrastructure over the past decade, including stadium upgrades, training facilities and the development of the Mohammed VI Football Complex, as it positions itself as a leading destination for global sporting events.
Lekjaa's remarks also come amid reports that Morocco has reconsidered its involvement in hosting certain future CAF competitions as it prioritises resources for upcoming FIFA events and long-term World Cup preparations.
Despite stepping away from bidding for African tournaments, Morocco is expected to remain an influential force within continental football governance. Lekjaa currently serves as CAF's first vice-president and is also a member of the FIFA Council, positions that have strengthened Morocco's voice in both African and global football affairs.
The decision signals the latest step in Morocco's strategy to establish itself as a premier host of international sporting events, with the 2030 FIFA World Cup expected to be the centrepiece of those ambitions.
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