Mohammed VI
Football Academy
Mohammed VI Football Academy: A Leading Royal Initiative Seeking to Develop and Promote National Soccer on a Continental and International Scale
Mohammed VI Football Academy, established in 2010 by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in Sala Al Jadida, is the key to the success and remarkable achievements of national teams at the international and continental levels. The academy has also played a pivotal role in training players who have gained recognition in Europe in recent years.
This systematic undertaking, which bears fruit, displays His Majesty’s strong royal support for sport and its practitioners. It also conveys His Majesty’s desire to promote the practice of sports in general, especially soccer, by providing superb infrastructure and high-quality training.
« Sports promote the development of teamwork spirit, openness to others, and encourage healthy emulation and competition. Additionally, sports serve as a means of youth integration by preventing deviant behaviors, offering enriching leisure activities, and actively contributing to the improvement of the educational paths of children and young people. »
Excerpt from the message of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to the meeting of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations on the theme “Sports as a means to support local economic development and create employment opportunities” – Geneva, 9 Jumada II 1427 H, corresponding to July 5, 2006.
In addition to serving as a benchmark in player development and nurturing numerous sporting talents, the Academy is a royal that aims to uplift and develop the national football scene by selecting and training talented players. Some of them now form the backbone of the national football team, which qualified for the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a historic achievement for Arab and African football.
« And as much as you have delighted the Moroccan people and various sisterly and friendly crowds, especially the Arab and African ones, who followed your remarkable achievement with love, pride, and admiration, you have also shown the world, rightly so, the loftiness of your stature and the steadfastness of your determination stemming from the strength of your faith and your love for your homeland, and your commitment to your eternal motto: ‘God, Nation, King’.
An excerpt from the congratulatory message of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to the members of the Moroccan national football team on the occasion of the unprecedented historic achievement in the 2022 FIFA World Cup competitions – December 17, 2022″.
The outstanding performance of the Atlas Lions in this international event stems from many years of investment in player development. This has been particularly achieved through a sports academy that puts forth commendable efforts in providing high-quality training, which spares no effort in preparing future football players.
« In my country – the Kingdom of Morocco – I have sought to make football a driver of success and sustainable human development. In addition to being a passion and the expression of creative skill and talent, football also implies a vision of the future, a long-term commitment, efficient, transparent governance, as well as investment in infrastructure and human capital ».
Excerpt from the message of His Majesty King Mohammed VI on the occasion of receiving the Excellence Award for the year 2022 from the African Football Confederation, presented to him in Kigali – Tuesday, 21 Sha’ban 1444 H, corresponding to March 14, 2023.
The Academy, established through the insightful vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI for the overall development of sports and specifically football, has also left its mark in the competition of the Africa Cup of Nations for under-17s, in which the Atlas Lions clinched the silver medal.
Despite their young age, the players of the national under-17 team shone with their skills and technical abilities on the field throughout the Africa Cup of Nations tournament, displaying a fighting spirit, efficiency, and fair play in the various matches of this competition.
« We are pleased to extend our heartfelt congratulations to you on the outstanding achievement of reaching the final match of the Africa Cup of Nations for Under-17s in its fourteenth edition hosted by our sister Algeria. Your well-deserved qualification for the 2023 World Cup is a testament to your competence and merit ».
An excerpt from the congratulatory message of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to the members of the national team for their remarkable achievement during the Africa Cup of Nations for Under-17s and their qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
Thanks to this exceptional achievement of the Atlas lion cubs, Moroccan football, both in men’s and women’s categories, continues to shine on the global and continental stage across various age groups. This demonstrates its ability to sustain its momentum, maintain its level, and exert influence for many years, allowing it to keep adding brilliant pages to its history.
«We have full confidence in the great potential of Moroccan sports. Therefore, we will spare no effort to support all good initiatives dedicated to the supreme goal we have set for ourselves, which is to make Moroccan sports an exemplary model and a factor for social cohesion, enhancing our regional and international influence.
Excerpt from the message of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to the participants in the Second National Debate on Moroccan Sports – Skhirat, 24 Shawwal 1429 H corresponding to 24 October 2008.
This remarkable success of football in Morocco is not a result of chance but rather stems from diligent work undertaken by sports authorities and relevant institutions. They are dedicated to developing sports infrastructure, along with effective managerial governance aimed at enhancing the performance and competitiveness of the national football scene in line with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
The establishment of the Mohammed VI Football Academy, requiring an investment of 140 million dirhams, embodies the royal philosophy in the field and the benevolent care that His Majesty King Mohammed VI has consistently devoted to the sports sector in general and the development of football in particular.
The academy, built on an approximately 18-hectare area, aims to contribute to the selection and training of high-level football practitioners by implementing an educational system that seamlessly integrates sports and studies.
This sports institution, which adheres to international standards and provides an appropriate framework with optimal comfort and safety conditions, supports youth training, allowing them to participate in elite football both within Morocco and worldwide.
« As well, efforts should be made to create an effective model that allows for the development of elite sports and mass sports within a framework of harmony and coherence, giving them equal attention in public sports policies. Elite sports contribute to elevating national sports to high levels, serving as an exemplary model for the general public. »
Excerpt from a letter from His Majesty King Mohammed VI to participants in the second national debate on Moroccan sports in Skhirat, 24 Shawwal 1429 Hijri, corresponding to October 24, 2008.
The Academy, the outcome of royal determination, was built and equipped to standards comparable to globally famous European vocational training institutes. The primary goal is to foster Moroccan youth by providing them with suitable conditions for sports and scientific training, allowing them to excel in top football clubs in Morocco and Europe.
In addition to providing the necessary logistical and appropriate conditions to benefit both players and trainers and ensure their development, this sports facility’s training is based on the most recent scientific theories and instructional methods.
MAP
Prominent Graduates of the Academy:
National Senior Team :
Mohammed VI Football Academy :
