Grand Stade d’Agadir ‘Ready to Host Major Events,’ Says SONARGES Regional Director

2025-09-02

The Grand Stade d’Agadir is already ready to host the biggest events, assured on Monday in Agadir the regional director of the National Company for the Development and Management of Sports Facilities (SONARGES), Hicham Allouli.

Like other stadiums across the Kingdom, the Grand Stade d’Agadir, which is undergoing renovation and upgrading works in two phases, is already prepared for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), Allouli stated.

The first phase concerns preparing the stadium for AFCON 2025, while the second focuses mainly on full roofing and expanding the stands, increasing capacity from the current 41,800 seats to 46,000 by 2030, he told MAP.

“The first phase, which is almost complete, consists of the stadium’s external development, which has allowed the parking capacity to increase from 2,600 spaces to 4,100,” he explained, noting that the works also included reinforcing the outer fence and installing new ticketing points.

The training pitch turfs have been replaced, as has the main pitch, he added. It also involved upgrading all technical installations to ensure better use of the stadium during major events, he said. The locker rooms of the stadium have also undergone renovation and upgrading works, he continued.

As for the second phase of renovation, it aims, according to him, to ensure that this sports facility meets the specifications and requirements of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) in view of hosting the World Cup, which Morocco will co-organize with Spain and Portugal.

In addition to increasing the capacity of the stadium, this phase includes installing a 360° panoramic roof and improving VIP areas, further strengthening its position as a key venue for international competitions.

Inaugurated in 2013, the stadium is a modern sports infrastructure covering 32 hectares, ideally located 15 minutes from the city center and 30 minutes from the airport. From the time it opened, it has established itself as a reference facility, hosting prestigious events such as the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup.

MAP: 01 September 2025

Moroccan National Women’s Team Head Coach Unveils Squad for 2026 WAFCON

Moroccan women’s national football team head coach Jorge Vilda unveiled on Friday a list of 26 players selected for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), scheduled in Morocco from July 25 to August 16.

Morocco has been placed in Group A alongside Senegal, Algeria and Kenya.

Here follows the full list of the selected players:

Goalkeepers:

– Khadija Er-Rmichi

– Ines Arouaissa

– Fatima-Zahra El Jebraoui

Defenders:

– Hanane Ait El Haj

– Zineb Redouani

– Aziza Rabbah

– Siham Boukhami

– Rania Boutiebi

– Nouhaila Benzina

– Maryame Atiq

– Nesryne El Chad

Midfielders:

– Soumia Hady

– Ghizlane Chebbak

– Najat Badri

– Hajar Said

– Yasmin-Katie M’Rabet

– Elodie Nahla Nakkach

Forwards:

– Kenza Chapelle

– Imane Saoud

– Kautar Azraf

– Jade Nassi

– Fatima Tagnaout

– Sakina Ouzraoui

– Chaimaa Mourtaji

– Ibtissam Jraidi

– Sanaa Mssoudy.

Morocco’s Women National Football Team to Face Cabo Verde on Saturday in Friendlies

The Moroccan women’s national football team will face its Cabo Verdean opponent in a friendly fixture set for Saturday in the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat (10pm).

The Atlas Lionesses previously played a double friendly against Burkina Faso last Friday and Tuesday.

Jorge Vilda’s team won the first match 5-0 and drew the second 1-1.

These matches are part of the Moroccan team’s preparations for upcoming fixtures.

CAF Awards 2025: Moroccan Ghizlaine Chebbak Named African Player of the Year

Moroccan Ghizlaine Chebbak, captain of the Atlas Lionesses, was named African Player of the Year at the CAF Awards 2025 ceremony, held Wednesday evening in Rabat.

Alongside Chebbak, the final list of candidates for this award also included Sanaa Mssoudy, forward for AS FAR and the Moroccan national team, and Nigerian Rasheedat Ajibade, PSG player.

The award was presented by CAF President Patrice Motsepe.

Doha Madani

AS FAR player Doha Madani won the Best Young Player of the Year award during the CAF Awards ceremony, held Wednesday evening in Rabat.

At 20 years old, the young Moroccan represents a true hope for Moroccan and African football.

Meanwhile, Tanzanian Clement Mzize, a TP Mazembe player, received the award for the Best Goal of the Year 2025.

Also nominated for the award were goals scored by Moroccans Oussama Lamlioui, forward for Renaissance Berkane, and Ghizlane Chebbak, captain of the Lionesses of the Atlas.

2025 U17 Women’s World Cup: Morocco Defeats Costa Rica 3-1

Morocco’s national U17 women’s football team defeated Costa Rica 3-1 on Friday evening at the Rabat Olympic Stadium, in the third and final match of Group A in the tournament’s final phase.

The goals for Morocco were scored by Mayssa Baha (4th minute and 39th minute, the latter from a penalty) and Fabiana Alfaro (77th minute, own goal), while Costa Rica reduced the deficit through Naima Moya in stoppage time (90+5).

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025: Morocco Falls to Italy 1-3

Morocco’s under-17 women’s national football team fell 3-1 to Italy on Tuesday night at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium, in their second Group A match of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Giulia Galli struck twice for Italy in the 5th and 13th minutes, while Rachele Giudici added a third in the 23rd. Dounia El Masmoudi pulled one back for Morocco in the 82nd minute, but it proved too little too late.

In the group’s other fixture, Brazil and Costa Rica shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw.

After two rounds of play, Italy lead Group A with six points, followed by Brazil on four and Costa Rica with one. Morocco sit bottom of the table with no points.

On the final matchday of the group stage, scheduled for Friday, October 24, Morocco will face Costa Rica, while Italy take on Brazil.

Friday 24 July 2026