As Morocco continues its impressive journey at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Moroccan government has officially dismissed false statements circulating on social media that were wrongly attributed to Mohamed Saad Berrada, the Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports.
The controversy emerged at a time when the Atlas Lions are once again capturing global attention with another outstanding World Cup campaign. Several social media posts and online platforms claimed that the minister had allegedly said that « Morocco does not represent Africa, » that « the national football team represents only Morocco, not Africa, » and that « Morocco does not need Africa’s support. »
The Ministry has categorically denied these claims, describing them as completely fabricated and without any factual basis.
According to the official statement, Minister Berrada has never made such remarks and has not given any media interview on the subject. The Ministry stressed that the statements do not reflect either the minister’s views or the official position of the Kingdom of Morocco.
Beyond denying the misinformation, the government reaffirmed Morocco’s deep African identity. The statement emphasized that the Kingdom remains proud of its African roots and highlighted the historic, cultural and human ties that connect Morocco with the rest of the African continent.
The clarification comes as Morocco enjoys another memorable World Cup campaign, strengthening its reputation as one of international football’s emerging powers after its historic semifinal appearance in Qatar in 2022. The Atlas Lions’ performances have once again inspired millions of supporters across Africa and beyond.
Authorities also urged journalists, media outlets and social media users to verify information before publishing it, warning that legal action could be taken against those responsible for spreading false statements or attributing fabricated quotes to public officials.
