Infantino Praises Morocco as ‘Global Football Power’

Projects linked to the organization by Morocco, alongside Spain and Portugal, of the 2030 World Cup have been launched in all sectors, in accordance with the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, said, on Thursday in Rabat, Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget, Fouzi Lekjaa.

Morocco will endeavor to ensure the success of this major event, Lekjaa told the press at the end of an enlarged meeting, held as part of the preparations for the 2030 World Cup.

It was devoted to the coordination between all the ministerial departments concerned, the setting up of a unified system of joint action and the implementation of an integrated roadmap, based on the proper fulfillment of commitments, the convergence of initiatives and interventions and the harmonization of their programming, within the framework of the complementary roles of the various stakeholders, so as to guarantee the necessary conditions and means enabling the Kingdom to succeed in the challenge of co-hosting this global sporting event with Spain and Portugal.

This edition will be, as intended by His Majesty the King, the best in the history of this event, added Lekjaa, noting that this enlarged meeting is part of a series of similar ones held since the announcement by the Sovereign to the Moroccan people of the good news of the organization by Morocco of the 2030 World Cup jointly with Spain and Portugal.

The Minister noted that the meeting was an opportunity to take stock of the work accomplished to date and to discuss the actions to be taken as soon as possible, stressing that the joint bid will be presented before the end of July and will be voted on by FIFA before the end of the year.
 

 In a strategic move aiming to harness talent and expertise, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB, Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond) has appointed Moroccan coach Adil Ramzi as the new head coach of the Dutch Under-18 team. The announcement was made on Monday, marking a significant development in Dutch football management.

Ramzi, a former Moroccan international, is set to commence his tenure on July 1st, as confirmed by the KNVB through their official statement on the social platform X. Expressing his gratitude and excitement for the opportunity, Ramzi stated, “I am proud to have received the necessary trust to work with the greatest talents of the Netherlands,” underscoring his commitment to the role.

Prior to this appointment, Ramzi had honed his coaching skills within the Dutch football landscape, notably serving as an assistant coach for the A team at PSV Eindhoven under the guidance of Mark Van Bommel. Additionally, he held the position of coach for the B team, demonstrating his multifaceted approach to coaching and player development.

Ramzi’s journey in football leadership also led him briefly to Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca, where he assumed managerial responsibilities before his departure in December 2023.

The selection of Ramzi reflects KNVB’s strategic vision to diversify coaching staff and tap into international talent pools. With his wealth of experience and expertise, Ramzi is poised to play a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of Dutch football stars.

Morocco has established itself as a global football power, President of the International Football Federation (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, said.

   “Morocco has established itself as a global football power, not only on the field and sporting results, with obviously the historic qualification to the semi-final of the Qatar-2022 World Cup, but also as the host country of several major events”, FIFA President told the press upon his arrival on Sunday at the Rabat-Salé International Airport to attend in the final game of the African Cup of Nations in Futsal.

   “I am happy to have returned home, to the Kingdom of Morocco. It is football that dominates, breathes, vibrates and lives in this country,” he said.

   Regarding the futsal AFCON, Infantino said that “Morocco plays an important role as the host country”, hailing an “exceptional” organization.

   “On the eve of the 2030 World Cup, we know what Morocco knows and can do. We are proud to be part of this great team here in Morocco to participate in these future challenges which will change the image of football in the world thanks to Morocco”, he underlined.

HM King Mohammed VI sent a message of congratulations to the members of the national futsal team who won, on Sunday in Rabat, the Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (Morocco 2024).

   In this message, HM the King expresses to the members of the national futsal team His warm congratulations for winning the 7th Futsal Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by the capital of the Kingdom, with hospitality and unparalleled organization.

   The Sovereign also expresses His great pride in the firm determination shown by the members of the national team to win, for the third time in a row, this continental title, driven by exemplary patriotism and serious commitment to promote Moroccan football and sport.

   Reiterating His congratulations to the members of the national team and all technical and administrative executives of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, His Majesty the King prays the Almighty to grant them greater success and awards during the 2024 World Cup in Uzbekistan, and in their sustained efforts to climb the highest steps of the podiums on continental and international levels.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) signed Thursday a partnership agreement with the Canadian higher education group “LCI Éducation”.

Under this sponsorship partnership, “LCI Éducation”, through its higher education insititutions in Morocco, ‘HEM’ and ‘Collège LaSalle’, becomes an official partner of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and the national teams, according to a press release from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.

“Through this partnership, ‘LCI Éducation’ aims to support Moroccan football and the values conveyed by this discipline, which honors the Kingdom of Morocco on the national and international scene,” pointed out the same source, noting that this “strategic” collaboration represents an important step in strengthening the synergy between the values of education and sport.

Within the same framework, the FRMF and ” LCI Éducation” will combine their expertise and support to set up multiple operations linked to their respective sectors of activity, including the setting up by the Canadian group of training programs to meet the Federation’s needs, the press release added.

The partnership will also focus on promoting school retention and sport among young people, the same source concluded.

Rabat – Hard work and the development of sports infrastructure are factors that have contributed to the success of Morocco’s teams at various international events, according to the director of the Mohammed VI Football Complex, Hassan Kharbouch.

The resources made available to the various men’s and women’s national teams, across all age categories, have contributed to achievements that have propelled football to the forefront of the world stage, Kharbouch told MAP.

Thanks to hard work and the development of infrastructure, which is in line with the Royal High Guidelines, the Moroccan national team came fourth in the World Cup in Qatar. The national futsal team amply deserved its eighth place in the world, and the youth and women’s teams shone in various events, he added.

Kharbouch also emphasized the importance of the Mohammed VI Football Complex, inaugurated by HM King Mohammed VI in 2019, which marked a turning point in the development of Moroccan football and formed the basis of several performances in continental and international competitions. The Complex is a pioneering sports monument offering its services to national teams and hosting training courses.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation, upon High Royal Instructions, has drawn up an ambitious action plan and a roadmap for taking care of the men’s and women’s national teams in all categories, said the official, adding that some 26 teams are currently training at the Complex.

He also pointed out that there is constant and regular collaboration with FIFA and CAF for the organization of workshops in all specialties. The contractual relationship between Morocco and FIFA for the holding of workshops in this Complex, which meets international standards and ensures the conditions for success, is “a source of pride,” he said.

In this connection, Kharbouch emphasized that the FRMF has a number of partnerships with African countries, involving training exchanges and preparatory matches for all age categories. Saying that these partnerships are inspired by HM the King’s wise policy of opening up to African countries and promoting South-South relations.

With regard to the basic work of sports training, the director of the Complex highlighted the action undertaken at the level of the 13 regional academies. These academies work according to ambitious programs for the prospecting and training of talent to produce future champions for the national selections.

He also pointed out that the Mohammed VI Football Complex currently hosts 155 U17 and U15 girls who study in the mornings and play football in the afternoons. Enabling them to benefit from medical and educational care, as well as using the Complex’s facilities for training.

The manager also highlighted the importance of the referees’ academy, the first of its kind in Africa, which offers its services to female university or baccalaureate students. These students benefit from refereeing training outside their study period.