🇲🇦MoroccoNorth Africa
Mohamed Ouahbi's impact on Atlas Lions' offensive play evident despite lingering issues
via Le Matin3 min read
Moroccan supporters, often frustrated by the Atlas Lions' performances against low and medium defensive blocks under Walid Regragui, observed changes under Mohamed Ouahbi. Despite a talented squad, the team struggled to break through well-organized defenses in recent matches, including friendlies, CAN 2025 qualifiers against teams like Mozambique, Niger, Benin, and Mauritania, and during the Africa Cup against Tanzania and Comoros. On Tuesday, fans were keen to see Ouahbi's solutions. The coach delivered, showcasing offensive diversification that led to four goals: one from a set piece, one from a recovery in the opponent's box, a penalty after a build-up, and a goal from a quick counter-attack. The Lions are now more unpredictable and vertical, though they still need to improve their finishing. In the first half alone, the team had more than three one-on-one opportunities with the opposing goalkeeper, but impulsiveness prevented a higher score at halftime. While Morocco faced the 104th-ranked team in FIFA, the new technical staff efficiently utilized available resources. The public saw more player permutations, increased versatility, and more effective ball recovery thanks to new player profiles. The midfield, bolstered by talented young players with impressive physical capabilities and high-level competition experience, has gained robustness and vision. Ayoub Bouaddi demonstrated his potential for significant responsibility in the first half, and Samir El Mourabet, a highly
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Must ReadThe Atlas Lions departed for the United States on Wednesday to participate in the 2026 World Cup. The national team, its technical staff, and the Moroccan delegation were seen off at Rabat-Salé Airport before boarding a special Royal Air Maroc flight from Rabat to New York-JFK. The National Airports Office ONDA organized a ceremony for their departure, with players walking through a guard of honor formed by ONDA staff, including reception agents, facilitation teams, technicians, engineers, airfield firefighters, and executives. ONDA stated that its teams are mobilized alongside the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to ensure optimal travel conditions for national teams and Moroccan supporters during the 2026 World Cup. This initiative follows a strategic partnership signed in March between ONDA and FRMF, aimed at improving reception and mobility conditions for national teams, strengthening logistical support for sports delegations, and promoting Morocco's international image through sports. This departure is also symbolic, illustrating the mobilization of national institutions around Morocco's sporting ambitions and international image, especially as the Kingdom prepares to host major sporting events like the 2030 World Cup. Mohamed Ouahbi's team will represent Morocco in this global campaign, carrying the hopes of the nation.
Marrakech has been recognized by British magazine Time Out as one of the top 15 cities worldwide for art and culture in 2026. This ranking was based on a survey of over 24,000 residents in more than 150 cities, who assessed the quality and accessibility of their city's cultural scene. A panel of editors, journalists, and cultural experts also contributed to the final selection. Time Out describes Marrakech as a "pioneering" destination that "absorbs, merges, and transforms global influences through a local lens of overflowing imagination." The city is highlighted as an artistic laboratory blending contemporary creation, Moroccan heritage, and international influences. Key cultural venues mentioned include the 1-54 African art fair, Le MAP, Comptoir des Mines, Loft Art Gallery, Montresso Foundation, and the Al Maaden Museum of African Contemporary Art MACAAL. The city is also praised for its artist workshops, cultural riads, and hybrid spaces like IZZA, El Fenn, Dar Al Dall, and Dar des Arts, which host exhibitions and creative events. Beyond visual arts, Marrakech's music scene and live arts are noted, with examples such as tea ceremonies at 1112 Teahouse, traditional concerts at the Museum of Music, and Jajjah's musical sessions. The Yves Saint Laurent Museum, Meydene Theatre, and the Marrakech International Film Festival also contribute to the city's artistic prominence. According to Time Out, 63% of residents surveyed rate Marrakech's artistic and cultural scene as "good"
Brahim El Mazned, co-recipient with the Dhow Countries Music Academy of Tanzania, has been awarded the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture 2026. The United Nations organization, based in Paris, recognized El Mazned as a major figure in the Arab and international cultural scene for his commitment to music as a vehicle for transmission, dialogue, and cultural influence. As the founder of Visa For Music and artistic director of the Timitar festival, he has worked for many years to promote the richness of Moroccan and Arab musical expressions beyond their borders. The jury specifically praised his transnational work, his role in strengthening intercultural dialogue, his contribution to structuring the artistic sector, and his constant engagement with youth. El Mazned stated that he receives this distinction with deep emotion and humility, considering it a recognition of the collective work dedicated to culture, music, and intercultural dialogue. He also sees it as encouragement to continue his commitment to promoting heritage, contemporary creation, and supporting new generations of cultural actors. Established in 1998, the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture honors individuals, groups, or institutions from states that have significantly contributed to developing, raising awareness of, and disseminating Arab culture in artistic, intellectual, or promotional fields. The award ceremony will take place on June 24 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
Must ReadFive years after its adoption, Morocco's new development model NMD, intended to guide the country towards emergence by 2035, has seen mixed results according to an evaluation report by the Centre for Economic and Social Foresight CPES, led by its president, Ali El Rhanbouri. The report highlights significant progress in social welfare and infrastructure, but also points to persistent structural issues and a challenging international economic environment that are hindering economic growth. Key successes include a dramatic increase in medical coverage, with the number of beneficiaries of mandatory health insurance AMO reaching over 32 million people in 2025, covering approximately 88% of the population, up from 42% before the reform. Additionally, the direct social aid program, launched in December 2023, benefited nearly 4 million families around 12.5 million individuals in 2025, with a budget of 40.5 billion dirhams. Public investment remains strong, with a record programmed budget of 380 billion dirhams for 2026. The Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, reported the validation of 381 projects totaling 581 billion dirhams by the National Investment Commission. Foreign direct investments FDI also increased from 32 billion dirhams in 2021 to over 56 billion dirhams in 2025. The country has also made strides in green transition, with renewable energy capacity reaching 4.85 GW in 2025, maintaining Morocco's 8th position globally in the Climate Performance Index. Efforts to combat