Algeria, Nigeria, Benin and Zambia withdrew at the last minute in the face of the Moroccan proposal.
When Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, set out for Cairo (Egypt), it was hopeful that his country would host, 37 years later, a competition as important and prestigious as the Cup of African Nations (CAN).
Tuesday 26 september was marked by bizarre situations caused by Morocco's rivals in the race for the 2025 African Cup of Nations. Nigeria and Benin withdrew, as did Zambia, but the most controversial case was that of Algeria. According to Cairo media, the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football did not accept Algeria's withdrawal to give the impression that there were at least two countries vying for the organization.
In any case, with the withdrawal of Algeria, CAF decided that Morocco would continue its sporting expansion with the awarding of the African Cup of Nations in 2025. The tournament was not organized in Africa in the north since 1988. That year, Cameroon beat Nigeria in the final and Morocco lost to Algeria on penalties. In fact, the AFCON eluded the Atlas Lions, who only lifted the trophy in 1976, when they drew 1-1 in the final against Guinea in Ethiopia.
Morocco's deployment to celebrate this tournament goes well beyond because on the horizon looms the 2030 World Cup to which they aspire with Spain and Portugal in a single bid, while they will face Saudi Arabia, Greece and Egypt which are also candidates for the biggest competition in the world.
The crown jewel of the venues Morocco is preparing for CAN 2025 and which would be used for the 2030 World Cup is the Grand Stade de Casablanca, which would be built with a capacity of 93,000 spectators. In addition, the 45,000-seat Uchida Stadium and the 46,000-seat Tetouan Stadium could also be built.
Among the venues that will be renovated is the Grand Stade de Marrakech, which will have a capacity of 70,000 spectators, but technicians will have to assess its condition after the earthquake of September 8. Other stadiums that could be renovated are the Adrar stadium (46,000), the Fez stadium (46,000), the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium (46,000) and the Ibn Battouta stadium (65,000).
Modular stadiums that could also host the CAN and the World Cup are Casablanca, El Jadida, Marrakech, Meknes, Nador and Ouarzazate.
While waiting for the big event, Morocco must compete in CAN 2023, which will take place in Ivory Coast from January 11 to February 13, 2024, thus returning to its usual dates, modified by the World Cup in Qatar. The draw will take place on October 12, when Morocco hopes for a better tournament than in 2021, where it lost in the quarterfinals to Egypt.
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