Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, affirmed that the achievements of Moroccan football represent a source of pride for both Arabs and Africans, noting that the national team represents the Kingdom in the name of Africa and the Arab world.
In an interview with "Sky News Arabia", Lekjaa thanked the Arab fans who supported Morocco, especially after the historic win of the Under-20 World Cup title. The beginning of the success story stems from a wise royal vision. Lekjaa explained that the brilliance of Moroccan football was not a coincidence, but rather the result of a royal vision that began in 2008 during the Skhirat conference, which outlined a roadmap for developing national football at all levels. He added that the inauguration of the Mohammed VI Football Academy in 2009 marked a pivotal turning point, as it produced many stars who shone in the Qatar 2022 World Cup, and today includes more than eight players participating in the 2025 Youth World Cup in Chile. Mohammed VI Academy.. The golden nursery of Moroccan football. Lekjaa considered that the academy is the beating heart of national football, as it has graduated players and staff who today represent various national teams. He affirmed that this sports success comes as a result of a proactive vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who made sports a lever for economic and social development, and a field for integrating youth and protecting them from vulnerability. Training cadres.. a royal strategic choice. Lekjaa pointed out that the training of players and coaches has always been a strategic direction in the royal project, which produced a generation of distinguished national cadres, such as Tariq Sektioui, winner of the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, Walid Regragui, the achiever of the World Cup, Mohamed Wahbi, world champion with the under-20 national team, and Nabil Baha, African champion with the under-17 national team, in addition to Ammouta, Slami, and Dakik in futsal. "The Moroccan Exception".. from achievement to a future project. Lekjaa said that "the world today is talking about the Moroccan exception," stressing that the slogan of the stage is that the impossible is not Moroccan, and that what has been achieved is the fruit of the strict implementation of the royal vision, within a comprehensive development project that integrates the sports, economic, and social aspects. He added that work is ongoing in all age groups to achieve continued excellence. An honorable outcome and a vision for the future. Lekjaa reviewed the outcome of the last eleven years, where Moroccan teams and clubs participated in 29 finals, winning 25 of them, considering it "just the beginning of playing among the world's greats." He also highlighted that the national teams adopt a policy of gradual integration between the age groups, without a break, to ensure technical continuity. Sports are part of the national development project. In his speech about organizing the African Cup of Nations, Lekjaa stressed that Morocco is experiencing a development journey led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God grant him victory, explaining that the Kingdom did not wait for major events to achieve development, but rather made sports part of its comprehensive path. He concluded by emphasizing that what matters to Morocco is that the 2025 African Cup of Nations be a high-class African football wedding that reflects the noble royal vision and highlights the true face of the continent.
