Morocco: Ismail El Fath appointed referee for the England–Argentina semi-final
Born in Casablanca and naturalized as an American citizen, Ismail El Fath has been appointed to referee the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina. At the age of 44, one of FIFA’s most respected referees continues his remarkable journey, four years after serving as the fourth official in the 2022 World Cup final.
Having moved to the United States at the age of 18 through the Diversity Visa Lottery, El Fath studied mechanical engineering in Texas before turning to refereeing. After officiating in Major League Soccer (MLS) from 2012, he became the first referee to oversee a match using VAR in the American league in 2016.
An inspiring journey to the World Cup
An international referee since 2017, Ismail El Fath has officiated at a series of major tournaments, including the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Olympic Games, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and now the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
During this edition, he has already refereed several important matches, including Netherlands vs. Japan, Spain vs. Uruguay, and Norway vs. Brazil in the Round of 16. Nicknamed by some as Lionel Messi’s « lucky referee » because of the Argentine star’s many victories under his officiating, the Casablanca native continues to proudly represent his Moroccan roots on the world stage.
In 2025, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) entrusted him with a mission to modernize refereeing in Morocco, a project that was eventually interrupted for family reasons. Nevertheless, Ismail El Fath remains one of Morocco’s greatest success stories in the world of international refereeing.
Morocco: Deschamps did not consider Bouaddi ready before his decision
Didier Deschamps believed that Ayyoub Bouaddi was not yet ready to join the France senior national team before the young midfielder decided to represent Morocco. The revelation was made by Hubert Fournier, the French Football Federation’s (FFF) National Technical Director, in an interview with The Athletic.
According to Hubert Fournier, Bouaddi was included in France’s extended squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the strong competition in midfield meant that he was not guaranteed a place in the final squad. « Deschamps chose not to select Bouaddi, while Morocco offered him the opportunity to play in the World Cup, » he explained, describing the decision as « a significant loss » for French football.
Last May, the 18-year-old midfielder, who was developed in France and had represented all of France’s youth national teams, officially chose to represent the Atlas Lions.
Morocco gave him his chance
A few weeks later, Bouaddi played at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Morocco, where he quickly established himself as one of the tournament’s breakout stars. His performances, particularly against Brazil in the group stage, confirmed the Moroccan Royal Football Federation’s decision to place its trust in him.
His decision proved to be the right one: while France still considered him to be in the learning phase, Morocco gave him a leading role on the world stage, further strengthening one of the most promising generations in its history.
Morocco: HACA denounces a media campaign against the Kingdom
The President of the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA), Latifa Akharbach, has denounced a disinformation campaign targeting Morocco, calling for stronger trust in the media in the face of the growing spread of digital manipulation.
Speaking at the Global Media Forum, held in Shusha, Azerbaijan, Latifa Akharbach warned against the excesses of major digital platforms, whose business models, she said, encourage virality, polarizing content, and disinformation.
The Moroccan official cited the example of the most recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), during which the Kingdom was allegedly targeted by a « media war » fueled by conspiracy theories, hate speech, racist content, and deepfakes circulated on social media. According to her, this campaign helped create a climate of mistrust between Morocco and Senegal, two countries linked by historic and brotherly relations.
In response to these challenges, Latifa Akharbach called for greater media responsibility, the ethical regulation of artificial intelligence in newsrooms, and stronger media and digital literacy. She also called for better regulation of global digital platforms, arguing that their algorithms often promote the spread of hateful and misleading content.
For the HACA President, strengthening professional journalism remains an essential tool for preserving social cohesion, restoring public trust, and protecting civil peace.
Morocco: Chirihan Chergui to represent the Kingdom at Miss World 2026
Morocco will be represented by Chirihan Chergui at the 73rd edition of Miss World 2026, which will take place in Vietnam from August 9 to September 5, with the participation of more than 130 countries.
Originally from Berkane, the Moroccan contestant aims to showcase the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage. For the national costume competition, she will wear a caftan inspired by Fassi zellige, designed by fashion designer Hind El Iraqi. Chirihan Chergui will also present an artistic performance entitled « Roots », paying tribute to Morocco’s Oriental region. The Blouza Oujdia and the Reggada dance will be at the heart of the performance, in honor of her origins.
« I am taking Morocco with me to the world. I am proud to represent my country and to show that Moroccan ambition knows no limits, » the contestant said.
Beyond beauty pageants, Chirihan Chergui is an entrepreneur in the field of artificial intelligence in France. She also serves as an ambassador for SOS Children’s Villages Morocco, where she supports young people in their journey toward education, employment, and independence. Through her participation, the Moroccan representative hopes to promote the Kingdom’s culture, craftsmanship, and values on the international stage.
Morocco: Bouaddi and Aït Boudlal among the 100 finalists for the 2026 Golden Boy award
Moroccan football continues to confirm its rise on the European stage. Morocco internationals Ayyoub Bouaddi and Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal are among the 100 finalists for the 2026 Golden Boy award, the prestigious prize presented each year to the best under-21 player competing in Europe.
Italian newspaper Tuttosport, the organizer of the award, has unveiled its latest ranking update. Ayyoub Bouaddi, the LOSC midfielder, has climbed to an impressive fifth place following his outstanding performances with the Atlas Lions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
At just 18 years old, Bouaddi has been praised for his maturity and composure, with Tuttosport stating that he plays with « the confidence and maturity of an experienced player. » His performances continue to attract the attention of several major European clubs, including Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain. Meanwhile, Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal is also continuing his progress. The Stade Rennais defender, who was developed at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, is the second Moroccan player featured in the Top 100.
Created in 2003 by Tuttosport, the Golden Boy award is one of the most prestigious individual honors in European football. Previous winners include Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Lamine Yamal. France’s Désiré Doué is the reigning title holder.
Morocco: Ouahbi sees a promising future after the 2026 World Cup
Mohamed Ouahbi gave a positive assessment of the Atlas Lions’ campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite Morocco’s 2-0 quarter-final defeat to France. The Morocco head coach believes that this campaign has laid the foundations for a promising future for Moroccan football.
During his press conference at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, Ouahbi first thanked King Mohammed VI, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, his coaching staff, the players, and the supporters for their support throughout the tournament. The Moroccan coach also congratulated France on its victory, acknowledging the superiority of Les Bleus and taking full responsibility for Morocco’s elimination. However, he pointed out that the Atlas Lions had enjoyed a remarkable campaign, producing five convincing performances in six matches.
Looking back on the quarter-final, Ouahbi insisted that his team had not changed its playing philosophy. According to him, the main issue was a lack of efficiency in the final third rather than a tactical problem. The head coach also refused to use injuries or fatigue as excuses. « Those are excuses. I want to keep moving forward, » he said, arguing that this level of ambition is essential if Morocco is to continue its progress.
Finally, Mohamed Ouahbi expressed great optimism about the future. He emphasized that Morocco had one of the youngest squads in the tournament and that the experience gained would be invaluable for the challenges ahead.
« The future of Moroccan football is bright, » the head coach concluded, convinced that the Atlas Lions will continue to grow in the years to come.
Morocco: Ouahbi responds to rumors about João Sacramento and Amrabat
Mohamed Ouahbi has put an end to the speculation surrounding his coaching staff and Sofyan Amrabat. The Morocco head coach confirmed that his assistant, João Sacramento, will continue his role with the Atlas Lions and denied any disagreement with the Moroccan midfielder.
During the press conference reviewing Morocco’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, Ouahbi stated that João Sacramento will normally return to his duties after his vacation. He denounced the rumors that emerged following Morocco’s elimination, saying they were intended only to destabilize the national team. The Moroccan coach also praised the work of his Portuguese assistant, highlighting his professionalism, his commitment to Morocco, and his contribution to the coaching staff.
Mohamed Ouahbi also dismissed the speculation surrounding Sofyan Amrabat. He insisted that there is no conflict with the Atlas Lions midfielder, explaining that the player was simply frustrated by his limited playing time during the tournament. The head coach said that he had explained Amrabat’s role to him from the very beginning. According to Ouahbi, the player accepted the situation professionally and continued to work hard, which allowed him to take part in the tournament.
Regarding the comments made by Sofyan Amrabat’s brother, Ouahbi attributed them to emotion, pointing out that the relatives of players also experience major tournaments very intensely. He concluded by stating that his relationship with the Moroccan international is excellent and that there is no tension within the squad.
Morocco: Ouahbi sees a promising future for the Atlas Lions
Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi expressed confidence in the future of the Atlas Lions following their campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He believes that the performances of Morocco’s youth national teams reflect the strength of the country’s long-term football development project.
Speaking at a press conference at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maâmoura, Ouahbi said that the results achieved by the youth national teams are « a sign of confidence in the future of Moroccan football. »
« I like to look ahead to the future of the Morocco national team, and the future will be better, » the head coach said, emphasizing that the young Moroccan internationals are gradually reaching the level required to compete with the world’s best national teams.
Mohamed Ouahbi also stressed the continuity of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s sporting project. « We have a well-defined plan, and we are not going to stop. We want to ensure that Morocco’s achievement in Qatar in 2022 is not an isolated success, but proof that Morocco is doing things the right way, » he explained.
The Moroccan coach concluded by reminding that the national team is not starting a new cycle but is continuing a project that has been underway for several years, with the ambition of establishing Morocco as one of the world’s leading football nations on a long-term basis.
Morocco is preparing a “prestigious friendly match” for September 2026
Despite Morocco’s elimination in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 2-0 defeat to France, head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has no intention of lowering the Atlas Lions’ ambitions. Instead, the Moroccan coach wants his team to continue competing against the best nations in the world and use upcoming international breaks to prepare for future challenges. Speaking at his World Cup review press conference on Tuesday, Ouahbi revealed that he has already requested a prestigious friendly match for the next international window in September 2026.
“I have asked for a high-profile match in September to continue being challenged. We need to play more friendly games that put us under pressure,” he said.
For Ouahbi, facing top-level opposition is essential to help Morocco maintain its progress after another historic World Cup campaign. The Atlas Lions reached the quarter-finals for the second consecutive edition, further confirming their status as one of Africa’s leading football nations.
The Moroccan coach believes regular encounters against elite teams will allow his squad to gain experience and continue closing the gap with the world’s best sides.
Morocco : Mohamed Ouahbi takes responsibility for World Cup exit, backs Atlas Lions’ future
« We wanted to face France while staying true to our identity, but that didn’t happen. I take full responsibility for that, » the Morocco coach said.
Despite the disappointment, Ouahbi maintained that reaching the quarter-finals for the second consecutive World Cup confirms the progress of Moroccan football.
« The assessment does not stop with one match. We are satisfied with our World Cup in terms of our performances and the quality of our football. Our World Cup ended in the quarter-finals, but our ambition continues, » he said.
« We lacked our identity against France »
Ouahbi admitted his players failed to impose their usual style against the 2022 runners-up but rejected suggestions that Morocco approached the game with fear.
« Our game plan was exactly the same as it was against Brazil and the Netherlands. We changed nothing. The intentions were the same, » he explained.
« I never ask my team to sit back and defend. We simply lacked personality and maturity at certain moments. »
The Moroccan coach also praised France’s quality, describing Didier Deschamps’ side as one of the strongest teams in world football.
« I’m not asking myself how we could have beaten France. I don’t know which team could have. The real question is how we can make life much more difficult for them next time, and how we can do that in four years. »
According to Ouahbi, Morocco struggled to stretch the French defense and failed to create enough attacking depth.
Defending his squad selections
Ouahbi also dismissed criticism surrounding his squad selection, insisting the players he chose had earned their place after leading Morocco to another historic World Cup run.
« The players who were here made the country dream for five matches while producing some of the best football Morocco has ever played at a World Cup, » he said.
« It’s always easier after a defeat to say another player should have been selected. »
The coach acknowledged that one tactical decision against France did not produce the expected result but accepted full responsibility.
« The idea was there. It didn’t work, and I accept that. »
Building towards 2030
Ouahbi believes the tournament will serve as valuable experience for one of the youngest squads left in the competition after the Round of 16.
« We had the youngest team from the knockout stage onward. Many of these players will be even stronger in four years. »
His long-term objective is to establish Morocco among football’s elite rather than treating the country’s recent achievements as isolated successes.
« We want the 2022 achievement not to remain unique. Reaching another World Cup quarter-final shows Morocco is working in the right direction. »
He also recalled the difficult period following Morocco’s disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign, saying rebuilding confidence ahead of the World Cup had been a major challenge.
Coach dismisses speculation
Ouahbi used the press conference to deny reports that assistant coach Joao Sacramento could leave the national team setup.
« Those reports are completely false. He is very happy here, and we are very happy to have him. »
He also rejected speculation of tension with midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.
« If Amrabat had a problem with me, he would tell me directly. There has never been an issue. »
Regarding captain Achraf Hakimi, Ouahbi said fatigue was not the decisive factor against France despite the defender’s demanding schedule.
« It wasn’t really fatigue. We simply struggled to find a second wind. »
Eyes already on the future
While acknowledging there is room for improvement, Ouahbi warned against making drastic changes after a single defeat.
« What I don’t like is when you reach the quarter-finals against France and people suddenly want to change everything. That would send the wrong message. »
The coach revealed he has already requested a high-profile friendly in September to continue testing his squad against top opposition.
« We want to be challenged. »
Ouahbi concluded by reaffirming his commitment to Morocco’s long-term project.
« The future will decide how long I stay, God willing. For now, I’m here and fully committed to continuing what we have started. »
