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Bernards, New Jersey, honors Morocco's Atlas Lions ahead of 2026 World Cup
via Le Matin2 min read
The city of Bernards, New Jersey, honored Morocco's national football team, the Atlas Lions, during a City Council meeting. The city decided to present the team with the keys to the city, recognizing their positive impact on the community. This gesture acknowledges the team as one of the most formidable and talented in global football. Ana Duarte McCarthy, the city's mayor, and Mohamed Ait Bihi, the Consul General of Morocco in New York, were present at the meeting. Consul General Ait Bihi praised the city's initiative and its efforts to provide optimal conditions for the Moroccan team's welcome and preparation. He emphasized that this distinction reflects the high regard for the Kingdom of Morocco and its national team in the United States and worldwide, highlighting football's unifying power. Ait Bihi also noted the 250th anniversary of the privileged relationship between Morocco and the United States, characterized by renewed cooperation in political, economic, and cultural spheres. He further underscored Morocco's international influence, attributed to reform and development projects under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. City officials expressed pride in hosting the Moroccan team, known for its talented players. They wished success to Achraf Hakimi's teammates in the upcoming World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The official document and city keys will be presented to the national team upon their return from Atlanta, where they ar
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Morocco and Chile have initiated negotiations for a free trade agreement, marked by the signing of a joint declaration between Omar Hejira, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, and Paula Estévez, Chilean Undersecretary for International Economic Relations. This agreement aims to establish a modern regulatory framework to boost trade in goods and services, and diversify investments. Paula Estévez highlighted Morocco's growing economy, its population of approximately 40 million, and its openness to foreign investment. She also emphasized Morocco's strategic position as a gateway to the African continent, with which Chile currently lacks trade agreements. Trade between the two countries has significantly increased, from $10.4 million in 2003 to $80.3 million in 2025, with an average annual growth rate of 31.5% over the last five years. This initiative aligns with Chile's strategy to diversify its markets and create new export opportunities, particularly with emerging economies like Morocco, India, and the Philippines. The effort reflects both countries' commitment to strengthening economic ties and exploring new cooperation avenues between Africa and Latin America.
The International Finance Corporation IFC is considering an investment of up to $15 million in IMG Fund I, a Growth Equity fund targeting Moroccan companies with high growth potential. The operation awaits approval from the institution's board of directors. IMG Fund I aims for a target size of 1.5 billion dirhams, approximately $162 million, primarily for investments in Morocco. The fund has already achieved a first closing of 1.1 billion dirhams about $120 million in January 2026, with participation from leading private and public institutional investors, including the Mohammed VI Fund for Investment FM6I. The investment vehicle plans to build a portfolio of 7 to 10 high-growth mid-sized companies, with tickets ranging from 60 to 200 million dirhams $6 to $20 million. The fund will prioritize minority stakes but reserves the option to selectively acquire majority stakes. IMG Fund I adopts a generalist approach, with a particular interest in healthcare, fast-moving consumer goods FMCG, digital infrastructure, financial services, and education sectors. It targets family businesses seeking to structure themselves before or after a generational transfer, as well as external growth operations. IMG Fund I is managed by IMG Capital, an independent Private Equity management company founded in April 2023 by businessman Brahim Guessous and accredited by the Moroccan Capital Market Authority AMMC. Based in Morocco, IMG Capital focuses on the 'Lower Mid-Cap' segment. The IFC expects IMG
Haiti's coach, Sébastien Migné, expressed his team's determination to end their World Cup 2026 campaign with a win against Morocco, despite being eliminated from the competition. Following defeats to Scotland 1-0 and Brazil 3-0, Migné stated that his players would approach the match with the ambition to secure a victory. Speaking at a press conference before the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Migné emphasized the need to refocus the team after their earlier losses, asserting that "the real defeat would be to give up." He highlighted the symbolic importance of Haiti's participation in the World Cup for Haitian football, noting it brings pride and hope to the people, more than 50 years after the country's last appearance. Migné acknowledged the strength of the Moroccan team, describing them as one of the world's best, African champions, and a semi-finalist in the last World Cup. He praised Mohamed Ouahbi's work and the progress of Moroccan football, predicting Morocco's widespread influence in the coming years. Migné also observed the evolution of the Atlas Lions, stating they are "even better today" with more balance and many high-level players like Achraf Hakimi. Despite the experience gap, Migné remains hopeful for an upset, declaring, "The best experiences are yet to come, with a victory against Morocco tomorrow." He believes that participating in this World Cup has helped his team reach a new level, gaining experience and professionalism, though he recognizes th