The first facility under the international programme was inaugurated this Sunday at a primary school in Ibn Zohr.
Structuring grassroots sports practice is accelerating nationwide driven by strategic institutional partnerships. On Sunday, 8 November 2026, the first pitch under the international FIFA Arena programme was officially inaugurated at the Hassan Ibn Omar Al-Zahraoui primary school located in the town of Ibn Zohr. Jointly led by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, the Ministries of Youth and National Education, the OCP Group, and football’s global governing body, this pioneering project marks the starting point of a major plan to deploy 30 local pitches across the Kingdom’s various regions. By installing modern infrastructure directly within schools, the partners aim to democratize access to sport and reinforce the role of schools as key vectors of integration and fulfillment for national youth.
Local facilities for youth integration
Establishing these specialized play areas addresses the desire to provide adapted, safe training spaces for young students across urban and rural areas. This joint programme bears witness to the trust placed by international bodies in the national sports development model, recognized for the quality of its strategic decisions. Beyond simple physical activity, making these facilities available strengthens social cohesion within neighborhoods and promotes the early identification of young talent. Synergy between the education sector and major national industrial players ensures the sustainability of equipment, aligning with ongoing efforts to modernize leisure options for local communities.
A Kids Cup in 2027 and preparation for the 2030 World Cup
To extend the educational and athletic impact of the scheme, officials formalized the launch of the first edition of the FIFA Arena Kids Cup Morocco 2027. This youth tournament will bring together teams from the first ten beneficiary cities of the programme, broadening the player base across the national territory. A few years ahead of co-hosting the 2030 World Cup and following recent successes on the continental stage, the country is consolidating the foundations of its football. This investment in youth categories yields positive returns for technical coaching, supports sports animation professions, and actively prepares the next generation of national elite players.
