Royal Air Maroc Takes Off as CAF’s Official Global Partner

2025-04-21

Royal Air Maroc (RAM) and the Confédération Africaine de Football concluded a strategic partnership agreement on Saturday in Casablanca, granting Morocco’s airline the status of “Official Global Partner” for the CAF.

Through this agreement, RAM becomes the official partner of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 and the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2024, scheduled from July 5 to 26, 2025, in addition to other major competitions.

With this partnership, Royal Air Maroc strengthens its commitment to African sports by facilitating the mobility of players, teams, and fans across the continent and around the world. To meet increased demand during CAF events, the airline will implement a new operational and commercial framework.

In this context, the national carrier announced a significant increase in its flight program, with capacity and service offerings tailored to meet the needs of supporters. This will be made possible through the expansion of RAM’s fleet during major sporting events, ensuring a wider selection of flights and destinations.

According to RAM, the flight program has been specifically designed to cater to fans residing in various participating African countries, while also making it easier for the African diaspora around the world to travel to Morocco.

In a press statement, CAF President Patrice Motsepe hailed this partnership a “historic moment” for African football and for the 54 member federations of the continental body, praising the airline’s “outstanding leadership.”

He underlined that the strategic partnership would help facilitate the travel of hundreds of thousands of African fans to the Kingdom for the CAN 2025. “We mentioned the figure of 500,000 visitors, but I’m convinced the number will be even higher,” he predicted.

The CAF President also praised Morocco’s remarkable progress in sports infrastructure, noting that “the stadiums, the pitches, and the facilities are of world-class standards,” which, in his view, promises an “exceptional edition” of the CAN scheduled for December.

Motsepe also highlighted Morocco’s upcoming hosting of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, stressing that these major events are part of a broader strategy to develop African football and elevate the continent to the level of the world’s top footballing nations.

For his part, Royal Air Maroc CEO Hamid Addou emphasized that the agreement reflects the airline’s “firm African commitment,” in line with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, aimed at strengthening South-South cooperation and promoting African integration.

“This partnership represents a continuation of Royal Air Maroc’s actions, driven by the Royal Vision, to deepen ties with African countries and support the continent’s major sporting and cultural dynamics,” he stated.

On the operational side, the RAM CEO announced a significant expansion of the airline’s African network, including plans to double flight frequencies to several capital cities across the continent to facilitate fan travel to Moroccan stadiums during the tournament.

He added that the plan also extends to African diasporas in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia, via RAM’s major international routes.

“We will launch special offers and tailored packages for fans, allowing them to attend matches in the best possible conditions,” he noted, adding that this commitment marks “the beginning of a new chapter in the growth and influence of African football.”

The signing ceremony was attended by key figures, including Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), CAF Executive Committee member, and CAF representative on the FIFA Council.

MAP: 19 avril 2025

Morocco’s Selection to Host 77th FIFA Congress Reflects Major Trust in the Kingdom – FRMF

Morocco’s choice as host of 77th FIFA Elective Congress confirms yet again the major trust put in the Kingdom, as well as its reputation in organizing large international gatherings, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) states.

Rabat will host the FIFA Elective General Assembly on March 18, 2027, marking the second time the Kingdom has organized this event, following the Ordinary General Assembly held in Marrakech in 2005, the FRMF adds in a press release.

Gianni Infantino, president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), announced on Thursday the selection of the capital Rabat to host the elective congress of its General Assembly during its 77th session, with the participation of approximately 2,000 people representing 211 national associations from around the world, the same source notes.

Members of the FIFA Council, meeting in Vancouver, Canada, unanimously approved this decision, the press release points out.

Morocco’s FRMF Endorses Infantino’s Candidacy for FIFA Presidency

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), chaired by Fouzi Lekjaa, announces its support for Gianni Infantino’s candidacy for the FIFA presidency.

In a letter of nomination and support published on its official website, the FRMF “officially endorses” Infantino’s candidacy at the elective Congress of world football’s governing body, to be held in Rabat on March 18, 2027.

In this regard, the FRMF wishes to clarify “that it exclusively supports Gianni Infantino for the position of FIFA President and, consequently, will not sign any other declaration of support for any other candidate for this position.”

This letter highlights the significant work carried out by Gianni Infantino and his team to promote African and global football, the FRMF emphasizes, expressing its determination to maintain its “fruitful cooperation” with FIFA bodies under the presidency of Gianni Infantino for the development and growth of football.

Morocco to Host 77th FIFA Congress in 2027

Morocco was selected on Thursday to host the 77th FIFA Congress, scheduled for March 18, 2027.

The announcement was made by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the 76th Congress of world soccer’s governing body, held in Vancouver, Canada.

Morocco, Key Player in LaLiga’s International Expansion – Pres. Javier Tebas

The Spanish league’s international reach is firmly anchored in Morocco, LaLiga President Javier Tebas emphasized in an exclusive interview with MAP, highlighting the historical, cultural, and sporting ties between the two countries.

According to Tebas, the Middle East and North Africa region is a strategic market for LaLiga, thanks to the enthusiasm of passionate fans. In this context, Morocco holds a special place, as it is linked through “a unique historical relationship, and I think that is also reflected in football,” he stated.

In this regard, the LaLiga president highlighted deep relations between the two countries in the sporting arena. “There have always been many ties, as well as a spirit of unity and mutual understanding between Spain and Morocco in the field of sports in general and football in particular,” he explained.

For LaLiga, the enthusiasm of Moroccan fans for Spanish football give s a decisive edge over other leagues such as the Premier League. Tebas believes that in terms of viewership in this region, LaLiga could even surpass its main English rival.

This advantage is driven by the two countries’ geographical proximity, intertwined history, and the recent meteoric rise of Moroccan football, which Tebas deems “well-deserved and hard-earned achievements.”

World Football Undergoes Quiet Revolution Under Infantino Era – Morocco’s Federation Head

World football is undergoing a quiet revolution under the era of Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, said Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).

“Overall, we are witnessing a quiet revolution in world football, a metamorphosis of FIFA,” Lekjaa stated in a video message broadcast on the Moroccan national team’s social media accounts on the occasion of the ten years Infantino has spent at the helm of the international football governing body.

“Speaking about Gianni Infantino’s record (elected on February 26, 2016) at the head of FIFA, I think it is clear to recall that what he has achieved is enormous. It is a complete transformation of FIFA,” Lekjaa emphasized.

“I would cite the total revision of FIFA’s governance, particularly regarding the clean-up of its finances, which has multiplied FIFA’s revenues and resources and subsequently made it possible to double and triple development efforts across all continents,” noted the FRMF president.

In the same vein, Lekjaa referred to “the revision and reforms related to competitions, starting with the men’s World Cup by increasing the number of teams, and extending to all competitions across all age categories, encompassing both men’s and women’s football.”

“Like all African and global federations, we have all benefited from the resources allocated to development, which has accelerated football development programs, whether in terms of infrastructure or technical supervision,” the FRMF head noted.

Morocco’s Football Federation Denies Reports on New Coach Appointment

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) denied Thursday reports circulated by certain media outlets on the appointment of a new head coach for the Atlas Lions.

In a press release, the FRMF said it “will inform the public opinion -as it has always done – of any updates regarding the national team in due course.”

Saturday 30 May 2026