Could Morocco become a football powerhouse?

Morocco has the potential to become a powerhouse of world football, according to experts who have witnessed the country's investment and passion firsthand. Neil Ward, former director of technical operations at the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, noted that the country's run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals "took over all the city right through until the early hours of the morning, with the king out celebrating as well." Simon Jennings, who oversaw youth development in Morocco, said the success is "not an accident" but "a result of clear national ambition," backed by King Mohammed VI through investment in training facilities, academies, and stadiums. Morocco has also leveraged its diaspora, with over five million Moroccans living abroad, by deploying full-time scouts in several European countries to identify and reach out to promising players early. Jennings noted that these players are "embraced as Moroccans" and have a strong connection to their culture. While youth protesters have called for funds to be redirected to social services, the royal palace has responded by allocating significant budget increases to health and education. Ward emphasized that the motivation is about tapping into Morocco's passion for football and gaining "soft power on the international stage."