The president of the Moroccan Royal Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, recently made comments that sparked numerous reactions in the African football landscape. In a context marked by ongoing debates about the organization of continental competitions and the bids from various federations, his statements clarify Morocco’s future position regarding hosting tournaments organized under the Confederation of African Football.
According to him, Morocco is now taking a voluntary step back in the race to host African competitions. This shift reflects a desire to no longer compete directly with other countries on the continent for these major sporting events. It’s a decision that fits into a broader strategy, often seen as a repositioning of the kingdom’s sporting and diplomatic priorities in African football.
Fouzi Lekjaa emphasized that this decision is not motivated by any opposition to other bids, but rather by a principled choice aimed at encouraging a more balanced distribution of competitions among different African nations. In this sense, he stressed that every country is free to submit its bid and pursue its organizational ambitions.
With this in mind, the Moroccan leader clearly stated:
“Morocco 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗡𝗢𝗧 submit any more bids to host African competitions.
If a country wishes to organize them, we wish them every success.”
This firm statement marks a turning point in Morocco’s strategy regarding major continental competitions. It comes at a time when several African countries regularly express their desire to host major tournaments, whether it’s the Africa Cup of Nations, youth competitions, or other events organized by CAF.
Beyond the strictly sporting aspect, this position can also be analyzed from a diplomatic angle. African football has become an important space of influence, where national federations play a crucial role in the decisions made within governing bodies. The choice to no longer submit bids could thus be interpreted as a desire to focus on other priorities, particularly the development of internal infrastructures and the strengthening of national team performances.
🎙️Fouzi Lekjaa: “Morocco 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗡𝗢𝗧 submit any more bids to host African competitions. 🇲🇦❌
If a country wishes to organize them, we wish them every success.” pic.twitter.com/om83CqoBHr
— FRMFXtra (@FRMFXtra) June 13, 2026
Morocco remains a central player in African and global football, thanks to its modern infrastructures and experience in organizing international events. Even without future bids, its role within continental sporting bodies remains significant.
This stance from Fouzi Lekjaa could also influence future balances within CAF, opening up more opportunities for other federations eager to host competitions. It could be seen as a gesture of openness in favor of greater diversity among host countries.
In any case, this statement marks an important step in the official communication of Moroccan football, and it will likely continue to fuel discussions within the African sports landscape in the coming weeks.
