Never before had an Africa Cup reached such a high level of prestige. Just days before the kickoff, Morocco unveils an unprecedented logistical and television setup that relegates past editions to oblivion. Between exclusive accommodation for each team and production entrusted to foreign experts, the Kingdom wants to dazzle the football world.
The numbers are aligning for the Atlas Lions. Just days before kickoff, Opta’s artificial intelligence reveals its verdict and places the Kingdom on the top step of the podium. With nearly one in five chances of lifting the trophy at home, Morocco outpaces Egypt and Senegal in the race for the title.
The party will be great, but it will be strictly supervised. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the organizing committee have decided: twenty categories of objects are now formally prohibited in sports venues. From sound instruments to snacks, supporters will have to travel light, otherwise they will be denied entry.
It’s crunch time for the Atlas Lions. With infrastructure renovated at a cost of hundreds of millions of euros and a people fired up since the Qatar epic, Morocco can no longer afford to make mistakes. Walid Regragui , hailed as a hero yesterday, must now assume the status of overwhelming favorite where only the final victory will be accepted by the Kingdom.
This is a breath of fresh air for the local economy as the Africa Cup of Nations approaches. The city of Rabat has just made an exceptional extension of opening hours for businesses official. Starting this Wednesday, the capital will live to the rhythm of the supporters until the end of the night to capture the financial benefits of the event.
The deadline is approaching and the tension is rising a notch. A few days before the kick-off of the Africa Cup of Nations (December 21 - January 18), Morocco finds itself facing an absolute obligation to deliver results. For the Atlas Lions , the stakes go beyond the simple sporting framework: it is a matter of validating an expensive national strategy and meeting the expectations of 37 million supporters.
It is a natural selection by money that is announced in the United States . The prices to follow the Atlas Lions during the next World Cup have just been released and the bill is exorbitant. For the expected clash against Brazil, prices are soaring, causing the anger of fans who feel excluded from the party.
The final bracket is complete. After the demonstration of the Atlas Lions against the United Arab Emirates , it is Jordan who will stand in their way for the title, after creating the sensation by eliminating the Saudi favorite.
This is a complete break from the usual habits of African football. For the competition that begins on December 21, Morocco has put an end to the cohabitation regime of the national teams. The 24 teams will each have an exclusive 5-star hotel and a dedicated training ground, aligning the standards of the tournament with those of Europe.
The Atlas Lions A’ have validated their ticket to the 2025 Arab Cup final with authority. By defeating the United Arab Emirates 3-0 this Monday in Doha, Tarik Sektioui’s men have confirmed their superiority and are now waiting to find out their final opponent for the title.
The off-field events took precedence over the pitch before yesterday’s Liga Adelante clash. The visit of Las Palmas to Ceuta was seriously disrupted by Storm Emilia and administrative constraints in Morocco , forcing the team to split in two in an attempt to reach the Spanish enclave.
A week before the kick-off of the Africa Cup of Nations, the NGO Human Rights Watch is coming to play the party pooper. In an op-ed published in the newspaper Le Monde , it points the finger at the human cost of the event and the fierce repression that is falling on dissident voices, calling on the sports authorities to take their responsibilities.