According to Western media, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held this year in Morocco has emerged as a major success, far beyond the realm of sport. Through its scale, organization and popular appeal, the tournament has positioned the Kingdom as a central player bridging Africa, Europe and the Arab world.
The Africa Cup of Nations now drawing to a close in Morocco represents a landmark event for the country, well beyond the sporting challenge alone, observers note, highlighting the political, strategic and symbolic dimensions of the competition. Morocco’s qualification for the final further reinforced this momentum, generating nationwide enthusiasm and heightened international visibility.
A true showcase of contemporary Morocco, CAN 2025 has highlighted the substantial investments made in recent years in sports infrastructure, transport networks and the capacity to host major international events. It also forms part of a long-term trajectory oriented toward the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
For more than two decades, the Moroccan monarchy has pursued a policy of economic modernization, large-scale structural projects and an assertive international outreach. Within this strategy, sport has emerged as a central lever, alongside traditional diplomacy and economic attractiveness. Sport is not a secondary form of entertainment, but a tool for development, social cohesion and soft power.
Over a month of competition, popular enthusiasm never waned. Stadiums were filled, images of celebration circulated worldwide, and the AFCON reaffirmed its unifying role across the African continent—one with which Morocco has strengthened its political, economic and cultural ties over recent decades.
From an organizational and logistical standpoint, the tournament served as a full-scale rehearsal ahead of 2030. The verdict is unequivocal: a popular, organizational, diplomatic and media success. Infrastructure performed efficiently, delegations were welcomed under favorable conditions, and international coverage was overwhelmingly positive.
In an African context where hosting large-scale events often remains a challenge, Morocco has asserted itself as a pillar of stability and regional credibility. This success has reassured sporting authorities, international partners, sponsors and investors alike.
The security dimension also stood out as a key hallmark of this AFCON. As Christian Emeruwa, head of security at the Confederation of African Football (CAF), had emphasized just days before kickoff on December 21, 2025, security is an essential—often invisible—component of the tournament’s success.
After fifty-one matches played across six cities, no major incidents were reported. Morocco mobilized extensive resources: a visible deployment of security forces around stadiums and host cities, the recruitment of nearly 3,500 additional officers trained specifically for the event, the installation of 6,000 cameras, and the use of advanced surveillance technologies, including drones.
This security expertise did not go unnoticed internationally. U.S. officials, including the FBI director, traveled to Morocco to observe the measures implemented, particularly in anticipation of upcoming major sporting events. According to security sources, Moroccan services demonstrated their ability to effectively coordinate human and technological resources as part of what Rabat describes as a policy of “security diplomacy.”
This success highlights existing disparities among countries in the region regarding the organization and security of major sporting events. Above all, it confirms the vision championed by King Mohammed VI: that of a pivot Morocco, capable of combining sport, diplomacy and security to consolidate its standing on the international stage.
