On the eve of the CAN 2025 draw, it is time for final preparations at the Mohammed V national theater. On the square, municipal employees are carefully sweeping the square with immense palm leaves. At the building level, workers are busy completing the decorations for the ceremony, displaying the logo of the 35th edition, just unveiled. On the side, journalists from the local and international press parade to collect their precious tickets to attend this first great moment of the Moroccan CAN. All this, under the watchful eye of security agents who miss nothing.
A bursting activity which contrasts with the tranquility of Rabat. The Rabatis are more interested in enjoying the pleasant Sunday temperatures on January 26 than in observing the final preparations for the great African football rally. Families carefreely take some fresh air in the Nuzhat Hassan garden, next to the theater.
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Even the Medina, the old town of Rabat, does not experience the hustle and bustle of the big days. We wander more to stroll among the white walls and countless shops. Youssef runs a stand selling football jerseys there. If the Atlas Lions and local clubs such as RS Berkane or Raja Casablanca are well established, there are also T-Shirts in the colors of other African selections.
“I expect Morocco to represent us with dignity because we play at home. But, I wish all of our neighbors a good run. May the best win!” explains the seller, a good player. “I want to see a fraternal and friendly tournament between Africans.”
Youssef, swimsuit seller, in the Medina of Rabat. © Allaoua Meziani, France 24
For the upcoming draw, the young man has only one fear: to see Morocco pitted too early against one of the other North African teams. “Maghreb derbies are always difficult matches,” he explains.
If Youssef hopes to be able to attend a few matches, he does not expect the CAN to drastically boost his turnover.
“Morocco is a football country”
Just outside the Medina, Yahia is taking advantage of this sunny Sunday to play football on one of the city’s many synthetic fields. Red national team jersey on his shoulders, the 20-year-old student, by far the eldest player on the field, organizes the game and ensures that tempers do not get heated. He too is impatiently awaiting the CAN, even if he admits that he had forgotten that the draw was approaching…
Yahia, a student in Rabat, plays with his classmates on a field in the old town. © Allaoua Meziani, France 24
“I love football and that’s good: Morocco is a football country. All of Africa will be in Morocco and that delights us,” he praises. “I have no preference. As Sofyan Amrabat said so well, we are ready for everyone”
Oussama, encountered near the theater where part of the destiny of the Atlas Lions will be played out, also believes that Morocco fears no one in this CAN: “We are a great team. We should not hope to come across a so-called low-level team. Afterwards, if we can start calmly…”, said with a smile this forty-year-old, doctor in economics.
Hakim Ziyech’s number 7, symbol of a legend that does not want to die out. © Allaoua Meziani, France 24
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Waiting for the 2030 World Cup
The Rabati official also takes the time to praise the vision of King Mohammed VI which aims to develop Moroccan football in the long term. A football which is seeing the first results: a World Cup semi-final in 2022, the organization of the CAN 2025 and, the future apotheosis, the co-organization of the 2030 World Cup during which Morocco will no longer host Africa, but the world.
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But, while waiting for this World Cup that the country has been trying to obtain for 30 years, all Moroccans have only one prediction: “The Cup will stay here”, to use the words of Osama. A final victory would repair an anomaly in history: in 18 appearances, the Atlas Lions have only won the trophy once… in 1976.
