GITEX Africa 2025 : Raphaël Varane & Robert Pirès Convinced of 2030 World Cup’s Success in Morocco

A meeting was held Thursday at the Interior Ministry to assess the progress of construction and rehabilitation work on stadiums in the six cities set to host matches of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled for December 2025 (Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Fez, Marrakech, and Agadir). 

The meeting was an opportunity to review the related complementary urban upgrading programs, as part of the Kingdom’s ongoing preparations for this continental event. 

The preparation is progressing in accordance with the established timelines, the Interior Ministry noted in a press release, adding that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure the completion of the projects within the set deadlines.

In parallel with stadium-related works, the six cities have launched complementary programs aimed at improving urban mobility, upgrading urban infrastructure, redeveloping the surroundings of the stadiums, and preparing areas designated for welcoming visitors and organizing entertainment activities, with the goal of providing the best possible conditions to host delegations and fans.

Over 120 projects are currently underway across the six cities, and all measures have been taken to ensure their completion before next December, the same source added.

The organization of AFCON 2025 represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen the Kingdom’s international standing, highlight Morocco’s economic, cultural, and tourism assets, and inject new momentum into the national economy. 

Regional officials in Morocco say infrastructure projects for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) are progressing steadily, with completion expected ahead of schedule.

   Following a meeting at the Interior Ministry in Rabat on Thursday, the presidents of the regional councils for the six host cities—Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Fez, Marrakech, and Agadir—voiced full commitment to ensuring the success of the tournament and future global sporting events, including the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

   Abdellatif Maâzouz, President of the Casablanca-Settat Regional Council, said all infrastructure linked to AFCON 2025 would be ready by July. “There is a clear vision for both AFCON and the 2030 World Cup, including infrastructure, human resources, and entertainment,” he told reporters. He also highlighted a major tourism initiative designed to capitalize on the expected influx of international visitors.

   Rachid El Abdi, President of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Regional Council, said the meeting allowed participants to assess the progress of key infrastructure projects, including stadiums, transport, hospitality, and training programs. All projects, he said, are aligned with international standards.

   Omar Moro, President of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima Regional Council, reported that works in his region were already at an advanced stage.

   For his part, Karim Achengli, President of the Souss-Massa Regional Council, expressed confidence in the readiness of all host cities, describing AFCON 2025 as a “major opportunity” for economic and infrastructure development.

   The Interior Ministry said more than 120 projects are underway across the six host cities. All are scheduled for completion by December, several months ahead of the January 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

   Officials said hosting AFCON will enhance Morocco’s international profile and promote its economic, cultural, and tourism sectors while injecting momentum into national development.

International football stars Raphaël Varane and Robert Pirès have expressed their conviction in the success of the 2030 Football World Cup in Morocco, highlighting the positive impact such an event will have on the country and its rising generations.

Speaking to MAP on the sidelines of GITEX Africa 2025 in Marrakech, the two French legends, now entrepreneurs in the new tech sector, highlighted Morocco’s dynamism in the run-up to the 2030 football showpiece, citing Morocco’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and its vision for a successful digital transition.

The former internationals also expressed their admiration for Africa’s technological potential, while praising the level of organization of the 3rd GITEX Africa.

Robert Pirès, world champion in 1998, emphasized the importance of perseverance, respect and discipline in the career of a top-level footballer, values that he finds today in the world of startups.

“You have to have a goal in life. My dream has always been to become a professional footballer,” he said, adding that the qualities that made him a great football player are the same qualities that have enabled him to succeed in the world of new technologies.

For his part, Raphaël Varane, who began his professional career at the age of 17, pointed out that the greatest challenge for a top-level athlete is to know how to surround himself with the right people.

According to the 2018 world champion, investment in technology “is not a simple career repositioning, but a logical continuity, fueled by the need for structure and impact.”

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.