U-17 AFCON: Lekjaa Urges Moroccan Players to Honor National Football’s Legacy

The President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa, has urged the players of Morocco’s U-17 national team, who will take part in the final phase of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (Morocco-2025), to deliver a performance that reflects the national football’s reputation.

During a meeting held on Saturday with the U-17 national team players, as well as the technical, medical, and administrative staff, Lekjaa encouraged the team to represent Moroccan football in the best possible way during this continental competition, which will take place from March 30 to April 19 in Morocco, FRMF pointed out in a press release. 

He emphasized the importance of delivering a performance that reflects the national football’s reputation, especially since the Moroccan team has already demonstrated great technical abilities during the North African Football Union tournament, the international tournament organized at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, and friendly matches played in preparation for this event.  

Lekjaa also highlighted the crucial role of teamwork in modern football, stating that success and sustained performance depend on harmony and cooperation among players, along with effective communication within the group.  

The participation in this African tournament is a key stage in the players’ development process, Lekjaa stressed, urging them to embrace a winning mentality, “a fundamental element that distinguishes great teams.”  

“The Moroccan public has high expectations regarding the U-17 national team’s performance, particularly after its remarkable run in the previous edition, where it reached the final, as well as its impressive performance in the World Cup, where it advanced to the quarter-finals before narrowly losing to Mali,” he added.

Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch chaired a meeting in Rabat on Thursday of the steering committee monitoring stadium projects for the 2025 African Cup (AFCON) of Nations and the 2030 World Cup.

During the meeting, the committee reviewed the progress of work on the nine stadiums that will host the 2025 AFCON finals, in line with the set schedule. The stadiums are due to be completed between March and August 2025, according to a press release from the office of the Head of Government.  

According to the same source, the committee also took note of the progress of construction work on the Hassan II stadium in Benslimane, in accordance with FIFA standards, which will be ready in December 2027 with a view to hosting games at the 2030 World Cup, to be organized jointly by the Kingdom with Spain and Portugal. 

On this occasion, Akhannouch affirmed that the government, in line with the High Royal Guidelines, “is mobilized to pursue various sports infrastructure projects and to provide all conditions necessary to guarantee the success of our country’s hosting of the 2025 AFCON and 2030 World Cup”, the press release adds. 

The meeting was attended by Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah, Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports Mohamed Saad Berrada and Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget Fouzi Lekjaa.

The Economic and Social Council of the Arab League on Wednesday congratulated Morocco on its official selection as a co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

In a resolution adopted at its 115th session, the council urged Arab League member states to support Morocco in ensuring the tournament’s success and to rally behind Arab teams competing in the event.

The Moroccan delegation at the session was led by Mohamed Ait Ouali, Morocco’s ambassador to Cairo and its permanent representative to the Arab League, alongside officials from the Ministries of Economy, Finance, Industry, and Trade.

Discussions at the meeting covered the implementation of resolutions from the council’s previous session, as well as economic and social issues set to be addressed at the Arab League’s 34th summit in Baghdad.

Other agenda items included infrastructure and development plans for Yemen, progress on the Arab customs union, and investment initiatives across the region.

Morocco is ramping up preparations to ensure a world-class 2030 FIFA World Cup, driven by the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, Spanish daily La Razon reported on Thursday.

“The historic feat of the Atlas Lions at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has reignited hope and strengthened national pride, both on the pitch and in a country deeply passionate about football,” the newspaper wrote, emphasizing Morocco’s commitment to delivering a successful tournament while bolstering its global standing.

As part of its preparations, Morocco is modernizing sports infrastructure, upgrading transportation, and investing in skills training, La Razon noted.

The country is constructing the Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, which will be the largest venue of the 2030 World Cup with a capacity of 115,000 seats. Existing stadiums in Rabat, Tangier, Fez, Agadir, and Marrakech are also undergoing renovations to meet international standards.

The report highlighted Morocco’s push to enhance its transport network, including extending the high-speed rail line to Marrakech and upgrading road infrastructure in Casablanca, the country’s economic hub.

In the healthcare sector, La Razon cited the construction of Africa’s largest hospital in Rabat and the expansion of Morocco’s major airports to boost their capacity ahead of the tournament.

The newspaper also noted that Morocco welcomed a record 17.4 million visitors in 2024, reinforcing its position as a leading tourist destination with ambitions to become Africa’s top travel hotspot by 2030.

Before co-hosting the World Cup with Spain and Portugal, Morocco will organize the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), which La Razon described as “a full-scale test to showcase its capability in hosting major international events.”

Moroccan referees received their “FIFA Refereeing” badges on Wednesday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maamora. 

During the ceremony, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) president Fouzi Lekjaa stated that the growth of Moroccan football hinges on improving refereeing, a significant element of the national football system.

“We want our refereeing to be a key driver in the ongoing development of Moroccan football,” Lekjaa emphasized.

The FRMF president emphasized that the role of a referee is “delicate,” demanding firm and decisive judgment, while underscoring the crucial importance of ethics, values, the law, and technology in their performance. 

Thee event also honored retired referees for their long years of service in both national and international football.

The Mohammed V stadium will reopen by the end of March in a new setting befitting the history of this iconic football venue, the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa, announced on Thursday. 

“The redevelopment work is at a very advanced stage. Only a few weeks remain before completion. The complex will reopen at the latest by the end of March,” said Lekjaa, who conducted a field visit alongside the Wali of the Casablanca-Settat region, Mohamed Mhidia, the Governor of the Casablanca-Anfa district, Aziz Dades, and the President of Moroccan National Professional Football League (LNFP), Abdeslam Belkchour, to assess the progress of works at the stadium.  

In this regard, Lekjaa noted that the complex has been renovated to increase its seating capacity to over 44,000 spectators, adding that it has been equipped with all modern facilities, including upgraded locker rooms, a press tribune, and various spaces designed to ensure smooth public access.  

He emphasized that this football venue will be one of Casablanca’s major achievements, adding that as part of Morocco’s organization of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the city will also see the construction of the Hassan II Stadium in Benslimane, with a capacity exceeding 115,000 spectators.