Morocco Sets Out Football Ambitions At World Football Summit
Morocco is making no secret of its ambition to become a global football powerhouse, hosting the first-ever World Football Summit on African soil in partnership with Evosport.
Held at the state-of-the-art Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, the two-day event welcomed over 1,000 delegates from 47 countries. Beyond the panels and photo ops, the summit put on full display Morocco's sporting infrastructure, diplomatic reach, and broader development agenda.
'The world of football goes far beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch – or 120 in extra time,' said Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Moroccan Football Federation, during the opening panel at the World Football Summit (WFS). 'Football is steeped in values: wellbeing, mutual respect, social cohesion, and unity. It's a powerful driver of inclusion. That's why we're here in Morocco.' Fouzi Lekjaa says the 2030 World Cup will bring three cultures together in a show of unity and harmony.
With the 2030 FIFA World Cup looming – jointly hosted with Spain and Portugal – Morocco sees more than a logistical role.
'This bid isn't about geography or convenience – it's about legacy, unity, and a shared future,' said Lekjaa. 'Morocco is a country of deep history and civilisation. A bridge between Africa and Europe – not chasing prestige, but reminding youth of their shared heritage.'
The 2030 edition will be historic: the first spanning two continents, and marking the World Cup's centenary. For Morocco, it's another chapter in a long-term strategy to leverage football for development, youth empowerment, and cultural diplomacy.
'We aim to harness the global spotlight to showcase Morocco's heritage while nurturing our youth.'
One man already elevating Morocco's football credentials is national coach Walid Regragui, who led the Atlas Lions to an unprecedented World Cup semi-final in Qatar – no stroke of luck, but the product of years of planning. Walid Regragui credits the Mohammed VI Academy, Morocco's talent factory
'What we achieved sent a message to the continent,' said Regragui. 'It proved Africa can compete with the best – if things are done properly, step by step.'
He credits the Mohammed VI Academy, Morocco's talent factory. 'At the World Cup, four or five players came from the Academy. There's a process – some want to rush it.'
Still, he cautioned, more trust must be placed in African coaches and administrators.
'Sadly, we're still not afforded the same credibility as the players. There's this inferiority complex, this belief that foreign coaches are better. But Qatar proved otherwise.'
His views resonated in diplomatic circles. Spain's ambassador to Morocco, Enrique Ojeda Vila, described the tournament as a vehicle for more than just sport. Enrique Ojeda Vila, described the tournament as a vehicle for more than just sport.
'We're talking about mobility, infrastructure, and bringing people together,' he told Morocco World News . 'I'm pleased that Spain is part of this – with our Portuguese and Moroccan friends.'
Jan Alessie, co-founder of the World Football Summit, called Morocco 'a natural choice.'
'The footballing history here is unmatched. And the passion of Moroccan fans – also unmatched. That was clear in Qatar.'
On the ground, Morocco's efforts are visible: new stadiums, buzzing youth academies, a polished national training centre, and a packed tournament calendar – from this month's U17 Africa Cup of Nations to the Women's U17 World Cup later this year. Jan Alessie says that the passion for football in Morocco is unrivalled.
Ismail Lyoubi, head of Evosport at UM6P, said Morocco had earned its place.
'Through tangible achievements, Morocco has proven it can develop football – and sport more broadly. We aim to foster meaningful collaborations and deliver concrete outcomes for the global football community.'
Morocco, in short, is building more than a tournament. A legacy. A footprint. A future. Or as Regragui put it: 'This World Cup was confirmation that if you build properly, you can compete with the very best.'
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