2026 World Cup: Morocco has won over the world, says its ambassador to the United States
Morocco’s Ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani, believes that the Atlas Lions’ campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup confirms the progress of Moroccan football and demonstrates that the Kingdom is ready to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
In a new episode of his video series « The Ambassador’s Office, » the diplomat said that Morocco’s second consecutive qualification for the World Cup quarter-finals is the result of a long-term strategy built on more than two decades of investment, planning, and development of Moroccan football.
Youssef Amrani praised the work carried out by the Mohammed VI Football Academy, the progress made in youth development, and the promotion of Moroccan talent, whether based in Morocco or abroad. He also placed this momentum within the vision of King Mohammed VI, centered on youth, excellence, and human development.
According to the ambassador, the 2026 World Cup has confirmed that Morocco’s historic achievement in Qatar 2022 was not a one-off success, but rather the product of a sustainable project founded on discipline, ambition, and confidence. The diplomat also paid tribute to everyone who contributed to this success, from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) to the coaching and medical staff, as well as the many professionals working behind the national team.
Beyond the sporting results, Youssef Amrani emphasized football’s role as a bridge between peoples. He praised the warm welcome given to Moroccan supporters in the United States, saying that their presence helped showcase Moroccan culture and strengthen the friendship between Morocco and the United States.
According to him, this World Cup allowed hundreds of millions of people to discover a Morocco that is « stable, modern, ambitious, and confident, » while also demonstrating the country’s ability to host the world’s biggest sporting event in 2030.
In conclusion, the ambassador paid tribute to the supporters who traveled from Morocco, North America, and the Moroccan diaspora, praising their unwavering support for the Atlas Lions under the slogan « Dima Maghrib. »
Bayern Munich: Ismael Saibari arrives in Germany
Ismael Saibari has officially arrived in Munich. The Moroccan international landed in Germany on Wednesday to begin his new chapter with Bayern Munich, just days after his transfer from PSV Eindhoven was officially completed.
According to Bild, the 25-year-old attacking midfielder arrived at Oberpfaffenhofen Private Airport aboard a private jet from Belgium. He was accompanied by members of his family and his agent, Ali Dursun.
Upon his arrival, the Atlas Lion was welcomed by several Bayern Munich officials, including team director Sonny Scherer, as well as the club’s media team, who were on hand to capture his first moments in Bayern colors.
Bayern Munich is now expected to organize Saibari’s official presentation. The Moroccan international has signed a contract with the German champions until June 2031. His transfer was finalized while he was still representing Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Saibari is scheduled to join Bayern’s pre-season preparations five days before the official start of training on July 20. However, his participation in the first collective training sessions remains uncertain. The Moroccan is continuing his rehabilitation after suffering a thigh muscle injury during Morocco’s Round of 16 match against Canada, which ruled him out for the remainder of the tournament.
Over the coming days, Saibari will undergo a series of medical examinations to allow Bayern’s medical staff to assess his physical condition and determine the date of his return to training.
Before his injury, Ismael Saibari enjoyed an outstanding 2026 FIFA World Cup with the Atlas Lions, scoring three goals in five matches and helping Morocco reach the quarter-finals in another historic campaign.
Transfer News: Why PSG decided against signing Ayyoub Bouaddi
After an impressive 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with the Atlas Lions, Ayyoub Bouaddi continues to attract the interest of Europe’s biggest clubs. Although Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was at one point linked with the Moroccan LOSC midfielder, the French club reportedly never made his signing a priority.
According to journalist Fabrice Hawkins, PSG decided not to strengthen its midfield after extending the contracts of Fabián Ruiz and young midfielder Senny Mayulu. Although Bouaddi is highly regarded by the club’s management, he was therefore never considered a concrete target during this summer transfer window.
Manchester City steps up its pursuit
While PSG has stepped aside, competition in the Premier League is intensifying. According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City has accelerated talks with LOSC and is actively working on the deal in an effort to convince the young Moroccan international.
Arsenal, Tottenham, and several other English clubs are also monitoring the situation, but the Citizens currently appear to be the most determined to secure the signature of the 18-year-old player.
Under contract with Lille until 2029, Bouaddi has seen his market value rise following his outstanding World Cup performances with Morocco. His future now appears increasingly likely to be in England, where several top clubs are already competing to sign one of European football’s brightest young talents.
Morocco: Achraf Hakimi, a commitment that goes beyond a simple image
The disappointment following Morocco’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup should not overshadow Achraf Hakimi’s journey with the Atlas Lions. That is the message shared by journalist Saïd Amdaa on the social media platform X, in response to criticism directed at the Moroccan full-back.
According to him, a few seconds captured after the defeat cannot summarize the commitment of a player who chose to represent Morocco as early as 2017, at a time when the national team had not yet achieved the level of recognition it enjoys today.
The journalist also recalled that Hakimi has always shown a strong attachment to the national team jersey, mentioning in particular his emotion at the prospect of missing the next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be hosted by Morocco, as well as his discussions with Paris Saint-Germain in order to represent the Moroccan national team at the Olympic Games.
While the frustration following the defeat to France is understandable, Saïd Amdaa believes it should not call into question the dedication of the Atlas Lions’ captain.
The journalist also referred to the recent comments made by Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who said that, in a few years, Achraf Hakimi would be regarded as « the best right-back in the world, » a status that many already believe he has earned through his performances for both Morocco and his club.
Morocco U17 women’s team to compete in the UNAF tournament ahead of the World Cup
Morocco’s U17 women’s national team will take part in the Union of North African Football (UNAF) tournament, which will be held in Tunisia from July 16 to 23, as part of its preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which Morocco will host.
Organized as a mini-league tournament, the competition will feature Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, and Botswana, according to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). The Atlas Lionesses will begin their campaign on July 18 against Botswana at Kram Stadium, before facing Libya on July 20 at the same venue. They will conclude the tournament on July 22 against Tunisia at Ariana Stadium.
For the Moroccan team, the tournament represents an important step in the preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, with the objective of gaining experience and fine-tuning the team’s cohesion ahead of the global tournament on home soil.
Morocco : Yassine Hssine breaks his national 200m record again
Moroccan sprinter Yassine Hssine continues to make history in Moroccan athletics. At the Gyulai István Memorial meeting in Budapest, held as part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold, the 23-year-old Moroccan set a new national record in the 200 metres, clocking 19.92 seconds.
Hssine improved on his own previous national record of 19.97 seconds, which he had set just a few weeks earlier, further extending his achievement as the first Moroccan to run the distance in under 20 seconds. This performance marks the fourth consecutive national record set by the young sprinter, who has continued to push his limits since the start of the season.
With this new time, Yassine Hssine further confirms his status as the fastest 200m sprinter in the history of Morocco and the Arab world, while continuing his rise among the world’s leading specialists in the event.
Morocco : Text messages reveal an early role in the 2030 World Cup bid
Morocco may have begun working on the joint 2030 FIFA World Cup bid as early as 2018, several years before it was officially announced in March 2023. This is according to the Spanish media outlet The Objective, which claims to have reviewed text message exchanges involving former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales, Morocco’s ambassador to Spain Karima Benyaich, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
According to the report, Rubiales told the Moroccan diplomat as early as June 2018 that Spain, Portugal, and Morocco would « host a World Cup together. » A few weeks later, he reportedly presented the project to Pedro Sánchez as a genuine « matter of state, » receiving a favorable response.
Morocco at the heart of the project from the beginning?
If these exchanges are authentic, they suggest that the idea of a three-country bid was already under consideration long before it was officially announced. However, it was only in March 2023, in Kigali, that King Mohammed VI announced Morocco’s inclusion in the joint bid with Spain and Portugal.
These revelations have fueled debate in Spain, where some believe that Morocco’s inclusion has reshaped the competition, particularly in the race to host the 2030 World Cup final between Madrid, Barcelona, and Casablanca.
For the Kingdom, they reinforce the idea that Morocco did not join the project at the last minute but was involved in the discussions leading to the joint bid from a very early stage. However, the message exchanges published by The Objective have not, at this stage, been officially confirmed by the parties involved.
Morocco : Lamine Yamal’s grandmother’s remarks resurface
The statements made by Fouzi Lekjaa regarding Lamine Yamal’s origins continue to spark reactions in Spain. In this context, comments made in 2024 by the FC Barcelona forward’s paternal grandmother have resurfaced in several Spanish media outlets.
Speaking on the Espejo Público program on Antena 3, she defended her grandson’s decision to represent Spain. « This child is not from Morocco. He was born here and raised here, » she said, arguing that the player’s decision was a natural one given his upbringing.
She also denied that there had been any family pressure, stating that Mounir Nasraoui, Lamine Yamal’s father, had never tried to influence his choice of national team.
These comments have resurfaced following Fouzi Lekjaa’s recent statements, in which he recalled the Moroccan origins of the player’s family while insisting that Morocco had always respected his decision to wear the Spain national team jersey.
Despite the recurring debate surrounding his international allegiance, Lamine Yamal has always maintained his decision to represent La Roja, while the Moroccan football authorities continue to state that they respect his choice.
Morocco : Jazzablanca 2026 comes to a close with another popular success
The 19th edition of Jazzablanca came to an end in Casablanca after ten days of concerts that attracted nearly 100,000 festivalgoers. Held from July 2 to 11 at Anfa Park and the Arab League Park, the festival once again confirmed its status as one of Morocco’s leading music events.
This year’s edition featured numerous international headliners, including Robbie Williams, Scorpions, Mika, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Jorja Smith, Jessie J, Naika, and Rilès, while also giving the spotlight to emerging artists from a wide range of musical backgrounds.
A festive closing night in Casablanca
The final evening reflected the festival’s diversity. Sara Moullablad opened the celebrations with a blend of jazz, Brazilian sounds, and chaâbi music, followed by performances from Madison McFerrin and Hind Ennaira & Omary, who combined soul, R&B, gnaoua music, and electronic sounds. On the Casa Anfa Stage, Jorja Smith performed her very first concert in Morocco before Jessie J brought the festival to a close with an energetic performance, highlighted by a surprise appearance from the British singer.
Remaining true to its identity, Jazzablanca also gave a prominent place to jazz through the Stage 21, which hosted several international artists while also embracing soul, blues, afrobeat, and African music. The 2026 edition also took place alongside the FIFA World Cup, with a dedicated area broadcasting the matches of the Atlas Lions, further enhancing the festival’s friendly atmosphere.
In total, nearly 1,800 people took part in organizing the event, alongside more than 600 artists, musicians, and technicians, contributing to the success of an edition that further confirms Jazzablanca’s place among Africa’s leading music festivals.
Morocco : Diesel and gasoline prices rise again
After three consecutive price cuts, fuel prices in Morocco will increase starting this Thursday. Diesel will rise by 0.70 dirham per litre, while gasoline will increase by 0.38 dirham per litre, according to the National Federation of Service Station Owners, Traders, and Managers.
This price increase brings to an end a series of successive reductions in pump prices. The Federation said it had been informed of the adjustment by one of the Kingdom’s leading fuel distribution companies as part of the bi-monthly pricing revision.
The increase is mainly due to developments in the global oil market, which has been affected in recent days by ongoing geopolitical tensions. Despite a slight decline in crude oil prices on Wednesday, prices remain supported by uncertainty surrounding global supply.
According to Reuters, Brent crude was trading at $83.62 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell to $78.53 per barrel. Markets also reacted to a smaller-than-expected decline in U.S. crude oil inventories, a factor that continues to influence international oil prices.
With this latest increase, Moroccan motorists are seeing fuel prices rise again after several weeks of relative stability.
