Morocco No Longer Continental Pariah as AFCON Showcases Its Global Standing
Morocco, once a continental pariah after its 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosting withdrawal due to Ebola fears, has since transformed its position in African football and beyond. The African Football Confederation (CAF) relocated the 2015 tournament to Equatorial Guinea with less than 90 days to prepare, and Morocco faced a ban from the next two AFCON editions along with fines, though these fines were later overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Since then, Morocco has hosted AFCON as well as the past two Women’s AFCON tournaments in 2022 and 2025. The country is also set to co-host the 2030 men’s World Cup jointly with Portugal and Spain. This turnaround follows a 2017 policy introduced by King Mohammed VI aimed at strengthening ties within Africa following the 2015 incident.
Major sporting events like these are viewed as instruments to boost urban development, tourism, and employment, while building symbolic capital and a national narrative. There is also an emphasis on achieving inclusive long-term social benefits. Engagement with international visitors contributes to redefining Morocco’s national identity, reinforcing both its Africanness and its global belonging.
However, in September and October 2025, Morocco faced anti-government protests alleging that World Cup stadium expenditures were prioritized over social services. Authorities denied these claims and pledged increased spending on healthcare and education, even as rights groups reported detentions during the unrest.
Analysts regard Morocco’s development over the past 30 years as a model for Africa and a source of regional pride, reflecting the country's evolving role on the continent and the global sports stage.
