Latest news with #FRMF
Ya Biladi
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan Women's U23 team set for international showdown in France
The Moroccan women's U23 football team is participating in an international tournament in France from May 28 to June 2, alongside teams from France, Japan, and the Czech Republic. According to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) website, the Moroccan team will face Japan on May 28, France on May 30, and the Czech Republic on June 2. In preparation for the tournament, Moroccan women's U23 coach Miguel Angel Sopuerta has called up 23 players, the same source reports.
Morocco World
21-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Pledges More Sports Infrastructure Projects as AFCON, World Cup Approach
Rabat – President of the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) Fouzi Lekjaa emphasized the importance of organizing sporting events to boost the country's economic development. Lekjaa made his remarks on Tuesday as part of the 2025 Global Growth Conference (GGC), where he participated in a panel to discuss Morocco's efforts in upgrading the country's infrastructure and development programs in anticipation of major sports events like the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2030 World Cup. During the event, Lekjaa reviewed the major events Morocco will host between 2025 and 2030, including the WAFCON, which will take place from July 5-26, the FIFA U17 Women World Cup between October and November and the AFCON from December 21 to January 18. 'Morocco will continue to host major sporting events leading up to the 2030 World Cup,' he said, adding that similar major events require the upgrading of road, airport, and football infrastructure. For Lekjaa, who is also the minister delegate for the budget, similar projects represent investment opportunities worth billions of dollars. The opportunities also cover other sectors like tourism and accommodation capacity among others. 'In this investment puzzle, we have a menu of Inclusive projects,' he said, noting that the plans also include different specialties and professions, which will enable all economic operators, including startups and multinational companies to have a share in the added value generated. 'Beyond the importance of funding, this will allow for groupings and surgeries between companies and the business world,' Lekjaa added. The minister also talked about Morocco's World Cup preparation campaign, noting that the North African country considers the global tournament as an African world cup, from which 'we will take the opportunity to show that youth on both sides of the Mediterranean can exchange, coexist, and work together.' Bouchra Hajij, president of the Royal Moroccan Volleyball Federation and the African Volleyball Confederation also commented on the country's efforts to boost the development of the sports sector, noting that this domain is an important lever for economic development. She said that sport is also a 'vector for social cohesion and economic and cultural development.'
Morocco World
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco vs Sierra Leone: What to Expect in U20 AFCON Quarterfinal
Morocco's U20 side are just one step away from booking their ticket to the World Cup as they face Sierra Leone in the quarterfinals of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. Kick-off is at 4 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT+1) at the Air Defense Stadium, and fans can catch the action live on BeIN Sports 8 MENA. Speaking ahead of the quarter-final clash, Morocco boss Mohamed Ouahbi praised his side's progress through a tricky group stage. 'I'd like to congratulate the staff and players on reaching the quarter-finals. It wasn't easy. The group was complicated, but we showed that we were improving match by match,' he said at the pre-match press conference. 'We'll stay calm, stay confident, and I trust this group. We know what we want and where we've come from.' Morocco have already beaten Sierra Leone in a recent friendly, but forward Adnane Kharroubi warned that Monday's meeting will be a different affair 'I scored in the friendly against Sierra Leone. But now, only two players from that squad remain. It's a completely different team we'll face,' he said in an interview posted on the FRMF YouTube channel. Goalkeeper Hakim Mesbahi stressed the importance of maintaining focus. 'We've had a good group stage run, but now comes the knockout phase, the decisive part. Our first target is to qualify for the World Cup. It won't be easy, but God willing, we'll do it,' he said. Midfielder Houssam Essadik echoed that ambition. 'We know what we need to do to win and qualify. The U17 and U23 titles don't put pressure on us – they motivate us even more. Seeing our brothers win the CAN gives us a positive boost,' he added. Victory would secure Morocco's place in the semi-finals and a ticket to the U20 World Cup. Score Prediction: Expect a cagey affair with Morocco seeing plenty of the ball but struggling to break down a resilient Sierra Leone. Extra-time might just be needed, and with their superior fitness and squad depth, the Atlas Cubs could nick it late on. Morocco 2-1 Sierra Leone (AET) Tags: MoroccoSierra LeoneU20 AFCON
Morocco World
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
U20 AFCON: Ouahbi Targets Semifinal Berth and World Cup Qualification
Rabat – Morocco's U20 national team coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, has praised his squad's strong performance in the group stage of the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, currently taking place in Egypt. Speaking to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Ouahbi also acknowledged the greater challenge posed by the upcoming knockout stage, starting with a tough quarterfinal against Sierra Leone. 'We finished top of the group. It's well-deserved. We're very satisfied with this first round, but we know we can do better, that we can still grow in this competition,' said Ouahbi. 'I have a lot of confidence in this group. I know them well, I know what they're capable of, and especially what they've already shown in the first three matches.' Read also: Morocco's U20 Team Coach Unfazed by Injuries, Eyes New AFCON Match Win The coach stressed the need for a mental shift as the tournament moves into the knockout rounds: 'Knockout games are a different story. We need to maintain our performance level and stay solid. We're confident. We'll be facing Sierra Leone, a team that's physically very strong, with players of impressive size. On our side, we need to rely on our strengths: technique, teamwork, combinations, and positional play.' Ouahbi also warned against underestimating Sierra Leone's individual talents. 'They have players who can make a difference. Their 4-1 win against Egypt was no accident,' he said. 'They lost to South Africa, but that allowed them to rotate their squad. We know them well. We had studied them before and analyzed them again recently. We're aware of their strengths and weaknesses.' The coach concluded with a clear objective: 'Our goal is to qualify for the semifinals, which would also secure us a spot in the World Cup.' The Atlas Cubs topped Group B with seven points, following victories over Kenya (3-2) and Tunisia (3-1), and a goalless draw with Nigeria. The national team will play their quarterfinal match against Sierra Leone next Monday at 4:00 p.m. (GMT+1). Tags: AFCON 2025afcon u20Mohamed OuahbiMorocco U20
Ya Biladi
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan U20 coach celebrates well-deserved victory against Kenya in CAN 2025 opener
The coach of the national U20 football team, Mohamed Ouahbi, stated on Thursday evening in Cairo that the victory against Kenya (3-2) on the first matchday of Group B of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2025) in Egypt was «well-deserved» given his players' strong performance. Speaking at a post-match press conference, Ouahbi expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the Atlas Cubs in this match, highlighting their superiority in terms of possession and shots on target. He emphasized the importance of this victory to start the continental competition on the right foot, praising the team spirit of the players. The only downside, he added, was the injuries to Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal and Yassir Zibari, who scored twice in this match. Regarding the Kenyan team, the national coach noted that he was surprised by their level, pointing out that they are a tactically organized and disciplined team with good players in their ranks. Commenting on the prominence of Moroccan football, Ouahbi highlighted that under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Morocco has been committed for several years to the development of national football. Emphasizing the efforts of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), under the presidency of Fouzi Lekjaa, he noted that all resources have been made available to honor national football in various competitions, applauding the achievements in infrastructure and foundational work in academies and clubs, which bodes well for a bright future for Moroccan football. He pointed out that the Mohammed VI Football Academy, a benchmark model in football training, supplies the various national teams with talented players, and he also highlighted the role of Moroccan clubs in player development. On the second day of the group stage, Morocco will face Nigeria on Sunday. They will then play against Tunisia on Wednesday, May 7, for the third and final matchday.
