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Spanish Football Federation calls for action against strong Moroccan 2030 World Cup bid
via Le Matin1 min read
The president of the Spanish Football Federation RFEF has urged Spanish authorities to act swiftly in the strategic battle over hosting the 2030 World Cup final, citing the strength of Morocco's bid. Speaking at a forum on modern football, the RFEF head emphasized the need for immediate mobilization and better coordination among Spanish institutional actors. He highlighted Morocco as an example, praising its clear governance and rapid execution, noting that in Morocco, one person is in charge, unlike the slower Spanish system. This centralization, under Fouzi Lekja芒, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, is seen as a key asset for Morocco. The Moroccan project, driven by a clear vision and structured organization, is gaining international credibility. Casablanca is presenting strong arguments, including the future Grand Stade Hassan II, projected to be the world's largest stadium with a capacity of 115,000 seats, as it competes with Madrid and Barcelona. While FIFA will make the final decision, Morocco has emerged as a central player, capable of shifting the balance of power.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Must ReadThe Confederation of African Football CAF has increased the pressure on the organizers of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations CAN by validating a 28-team format. This decision comes amid serious concerns within African football bodies regarding the logistical viability of the "Pamoja" joint bid, which was originally designed for a 24-team tournament. The bid, involving Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, is experiencing significant delays in strategic construction projects. In Kenya, the renovation of Kasarani Stadium and the construction of new venues are behind schedule due to budgetary and administrative constraints. Uganda's modernization of Mandela National Stadium in Kampala and the Hoima project are also struggling to meet deadlines. Tanzania appears to be making more encouraging progress, but coordination among sites in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar remains a challenge. The addition of four more teams necessitates more matches, more approved training grounds, increased hotel capacity, and a fully operational cross-border transport network. While CAF President Patrice Motsepe expresses confidence in the East African governments, recent CAF inspection reports indicate a race against time for the host trio. The 28-team format will significantly alter the competition's structure, with a proposed group stage of seven groups of four teams. The top two from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, would advance to the round of 16. This format will increase the numbe
The market value of Morocco's Atlas Lions has reached a historic high of 512.7 million euros, according to Transfermarkt, following their performance in the 2026 World Cup. This figure represents a significant increase from under 300 million euros in 2022, nearly doubling in four years due to the emergence of a new generation of players and their growing presence in major European leagues. Ayyoub Bouaddi, an 18-year-old midfielder, saw his valuation rise by 30 million euros to 80 million euros, making him, alongside Achraf Hakimi, the most valuable Moroccan player in the national team's history. Isma毛l Saibari, a midfielder for Bayern Munich, also experienced a substantial increase, with his market value now at 55 million euros, up from 40 million. Neil El Aynaoui, Chadi Riad, and Azzedine Ounahi also saw their valuations increase to 30 million, 20 million, and 18 million euros, respectively. This 512.7 million euro valuation is based solely on the 26 players selected for the 2026 World Cup. If other key players who did not participate, such as Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Hamza Igamane, Nayef Aguerd, and Eliesse Ben Seghir, were included, the total market value of the Atlas Lions would exceed 600 million euros. This growth highlights the team's unprecedented rise, driven by a mix of experienced players and young talents sought after by top European clubs, and reflects their individual performances during the World Cup and consistent player development.
Morocco has launched its first national program to combat gender-based stereotypes, initiated with the support of the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA. The program aims to promote equality and fight all forms of discrimination against women by mobilizing institutional actors, civil society, and the media, and strengthening collective commitment. It is structured around five strategic areas: family, education, media and digital space, work and economic participation, and public space and citizenship. It also includes priority measures and mechanisms for governance, monitoring, and evaluation. Na茂ma Ben Yahia, Minister of Solidarity, Social Inclusion and Family, stated that the program is a significant milestone in the societal project championed by King Mohammed VI to advance justice, equality, and equal opportunities. She added that it seeks to raise awareness and embed a culture of equality between women and men, while strengthening Moroccan women's rights and ensuring their rightful place in society. Abdeljabbar Rachidi, Secretary of State for Social Inclusion, emphasized that building an equitable society requires not only laws and public policies, but also an evolution of thought patterns, mental representations, and cultural transformation to counter stereotypes and deconstruct prejudices. He noted Morocco's progress in promoting equality due to Royal Directives, constitutional provisions, and international commitments, calling for continued mobilization and accelera