
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi shared insights into the team's preparations for their decisive World Cup 2026 match against the Netherlands. Hakimi acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming game, highlighting the quality of the Dutch team while emphasizing Morocco's own strengths. He stressed the importance of focus and readiness for every stage of the match, believing that small details will determine the outcome. Regarding the team's morale, Hakimi stated that the players are feeling good and are committed to staying humble, which he believes is key to their success. He referenced their approach in the 2022 World Cup, focusing on the present and each individual match rather than future outcomes. Hakimi also reflected on their challenging victory against Haiti, noting that overcoming an initial deficit revealed the team's character and spirit, which will be beneficial in future difficult situations. The PSG full-back expressed gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI and FRMF President Fouzi Lekja芒 for their significant efforts and support in developing Moroccan football. He also thanked the Moroccan and Arab supporters for their unwavering backing, acknowledging that their expectations have grown. Hakimi emphasized his pride in being African and the opportunity to showcase African talent on a global stage. In a lighter moment, Hakimi identified Yassine Gessime as the funniest person in the locker room and Munir Lamhamedi as an experienced, quiet leader. He mentioned that
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Must ReadThe Dakhla Atlantic Port project has reached 62% completion, with significant progress on the maritime bridge, protective structures, and land reclamation. Approximately half of the planned land platforms have been completed, with full completion targeted by year-end. Prefabrication and installation of fishing industry berths have begun, with the first quay expected this year, alongside the start of prefabrication for the heavy package quay. The port is designed to support the Royal Vision for Sahelian countries by providing Atlantic access and fostering shared logistics within a future industrial and logistical zone. Economic and market studies have identified high-potential sectors including agriculture, international road transport, agribusiness, various goods, renewable energies, and extractive industries. The Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation is leading task forces to discuss these subjects. The Dakhla Atlantic Port is a long-term economic and geostrategic development vision, aiming to capture future opportunities rather than solely responding to existing demand. Morocco is investing public funds with the expectation of medium to long-term economic and financial returns, creating a high-performance, intelligent deep-water port. Unlike Tanger Med, which is primarily a container and Ro-Ro port, Dakhla Atlantic will be a versatile port capable of handling over 40 million tons of goods, including containers, liquid and solid bulk, and ship maintenance and repair.

Abdelmouna茂m Faouzi, founding president of Yool Education, discussed the integration of artificial intelligence AI into Moroccan schools during the "L'Info en Face" program on Matin TV. He emphasized that the focus should be on how to use AI to address the challenges facing the Moroccan educational system, rather than debating its entry into schools. Faouzi views AI as both a threat and an opportunity, depending on its application. He advocates for developing a Moroccan model for AI integration, rather than simply replicating foreign experiences, given the country's unique social realities and educational priorities such as school dropout rates, territorial disparities, unequal access to learning, and supporting students in difficulty. Faouzi believes that the approach should prioritize concrete solutions and functionalities, with a legal framework to follow. He also stressed the importance of cooperation between the state and private innovation actors. Yool Education, a Moroccan online tutoring platform, exemplifies this approach by combining distance learning, digital resources, and AI to personalize learning. The platform aims to complement traditional schooling by providing individualized support based on student data, evaluations, quizzes, and interactions. Faouzi highlighted that this personalized approach is crucial for addressing the large number of students who leave the Moroccan school system prematurely each year, estimated at 300,000. The platform also includes co

Best Western Hotels & Resorts has unveiled its development plan for Morocco, aiming for 25 hotels and 2,750 rooms by 2030. This expansion is driven by Morocco's strong tourism growth, with 19.8 million tourist arrivals recorded in 2025, a 14% increase from 2024. This performance is attributed to the 2023-2026 Tourism Roadmap, launched under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, which has enhanced air connectivity, accommodation capacity, service quality, and territorial investment. Best Western has established a subsidiary, BWH NWA, in Casablanca, dedicated to hotel development in North Africa and the Mediterranean. This move, coupled with an exclusive partnership with Wejhat Hospitality, underscores the group's focus on Morocco as a priority market. Pierre Siegel, president of Best Western France, highlighted Morocco's economic growth, tourism potential, and diverse infrastructure as key factors for this decision, noting the royal commitment to developing tourism and hotel infrastructure across the country. The "Road Map" targets various Moroccan cities and regions, emphasizing a structured approach that complements Best Western's 19 brands, ranging from 2-star plus to 5-star properties. Salah Oumoudden and Philippe Storti, co-founders of Wejhat Hospitality Management Africa, believe this partnership opens new opportunities for hoteliers and investors in the Kingdom. Olivier Cohn, CEO of Best Western, sees Morocco as a pillar of the chain's growth due to its exceptional touris