Morocco’s President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, announced that the country will no longer bid to host African football competitions organised by CAF.
In an interview, Lekjaa stated that Morocco is redirecting its resources toward major international tournaments. “Starting today, Morocco will no longer submit any bids to host African competitions, regardless of their nature. If other countries wish to organize them, we wish them the best,” he said.
Morocco’s decision signals a strategic shift. It’s prioritising preparations for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, which it’ll host, and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it’ll co-host with Spain and Portugal. These commitments demand substantial administrative, financial, and infrastructural resources.
Morocco has built an extensive record of hosting continental events in recent years, often stepping in when other nations were unwilling. These include the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, and the 2024 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations.
The announcement comes in the wake of the 2025 AFCON, which Morocco hosted and won. The tournament’s final against Senegal drew significant attention due to on-field incidents, fan disturbances, vandalism, and a subsequent hate campaign targeting Morocco.
Lekjaa defended Morocco’s organisation, citing the Senegalese federation’s previous praise for the stadium and preparations as ‘world-class’. He also emphasised Morocco’s strong security reputation and denied any undue influence or bias within CAF structures.
Morocco’s decision to withdraw from future CAF hosting bids allows it to focus on its global ambitions while enabling other African nations to host continental tournaments. This pragmatic approach reflects Morocco’s growing influence in world football, as evidenced by its historic run to the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinals.
This development reflects Morocco’s long-term vision to position itself at the center of international football while stepping back from routine continental hosting duties