馃嚥馃嚘MoroccoNorth Africa
Atlas Lions arrive in the United States for 2026 World Cup preparation
via Le Matin3 min read
The Atlas Lions have arrived in the United States to continue their preparation for the 2026 World Cup. This follows an initial preparation phase that concluded with a 4-0 victory against Madagascar. The national team is now based in New Jersey, where they will undergo an acclimatization period to adjust to the time difference and local weather conditions.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Badou Zaki, former coach of the Atlas Lions, has signed a one-year contract to lead the Jordanian national football team, known as the Nashama. His official presentation and that of his technical staff are expected soon. Zaki follows two Moroccan predecessors, Jamal Sellami, who led the Nashama to their first World Cup qualification and Arab Cup final, and Houcine Ammouta, who guided Jordan to their first Asian Cup final. These achievements highlight the influence of Moroccan football expertise on Jordanian football. Zaki, a prominent figure in Moroccan football, was a goalkeeper in the historic 1986 World Cup campaign in Mexico and won the African Player of the Year award the same year. As a coach, he led the Atlas Lions to the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations final in Tunisia and has managed several Botola clubs, including Wydad Casablanca and FUS Rabat. His international coaching experience also includes national teams for Sudan and Niger. Zaki's primary objective with Jordan is to win the 2027 Asian Cup, scheduled from January 7 to February 5 in Saudi Arabia.
Issa Diop is reportedly close to joining Ipswich Town, a newly promoted Premier League club. Fulham and Ipswich have reached an agreement for a permanent transfer of the Moroccan defender, which is expected to be worth nearly 10 million euros for Fulham. Diop, who has made 173 Premier League appearances with West Ham and Fulham, has reportedly agreed to a four-year contract with Ipswich and is awaiting a medical examination. Meanwhile, Redouane Halhal, another defender, is considering leaving KV Mechelen for a more competitive league. French and Italian clubs are reportedly interested in the 23-year-old, who played 33 matches last season and participated in two World Cup games for the Atlas Lions, against Haiti and Canada. No official offers have been made for Halhal yet.
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection has launched a campaign to promote healthy eating and prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and kidney diseases. This initiative aims to enhance public knowledge of nutrition by providing reliable, simple, and accessible information. The campaign will emphasize the complementary roles of different food groups, the importance of dietary variety, and the adoption of healthy cooking methods. It seeks to raise awareness about the link between diet and chronic disease prevention. The campaign will utilize various communication channels, including audiovisual content from health professionals, educational publications, and informational materials. Through this effort, the Ministry intends to foster a better nutritional culture, encourage balanced and sustainable eating habits, and empower citizens to make informed dietary choices based on their age, health status, and specific needs. The Ministry calls upon health professionals, institutional stakeholders, media, civil society, and all citizens to help disseminate the campaign's awareness messages.