Governing Bodies
A Year of Global Excellence for Moroccan Sports
Moroccan sports reached new heights in 2023, securing triumphs and admiration on global and continental stages in a wide range of disciplines.
In 2023, Moroccan athletes have excelled on both continental and international stages, highlighting the nation’s prowess across diverse sporting disciplines. From the football fields to the athletic arenas, Moroccan athletes have in the past year consistently demonstrated exceptional skill and determination.
These triumphs not only underscore individual dedication but also highlight the robust sports infrastructure supporting excellence in Morocco, fostering a sense of pride and unity across the nation.
The 2023 Moroccan Football Revolution
Morocco achieved a historic milestone at the very end of 2022, etching its name in football history as the first African or Arab nation to advance to the semi-finals of a World Cup.
The remarkable journey in Qatar unfolded with triumphant victories over heavyweight opponents such as Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, showcasing prowess and determination.
The Moroccan team’s stellar performance throughout the tournament captivated global audiences, culminating in a fourth-place finish and a riveting semi-final encounter that unfortunately ended in defeat against France, the former world champions.
In October, the Moroccan Royal Palace endorsed the joint hosting of the 2030 World Cup by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. King Mohammed VI hailed this as a historic step forward for Moroccan football and thanked the three countries’ footballing authorities for their cooperation.
Morocco has also demonstrated prowess in hosting significant continental sports events, such as the Women’s U23 Africa Cup of Nations. Additionally, the nation successfully secured the hosting rights for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025.
Under the leadership of Fouzi Lekjaa since 2017, the Moroccan Football Federation has achieved these milestones through dedicated efforts, including ongoing reconstruction projects and the development of the Grand Casablanca Stadium with a seating capacity of approximately 99,000 seats.
Morocco’s national football teams, in all categories, have achieved remarkable success on both the global and continental stages.
The women’s national team, the Atlas Lionesses, made history by securing qualification for the round of 16 in their debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia.
The Moroccan U-17 team reached the last eight of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023, their best result to date. The Olympic squad triumphed at the U23 Africa Cup of Nations, while the Sporting Casablanca women’s team reached the final of the African Champions League.
Meanwhile, the senior Atlas Lions Lions were the first national team to qualify for the final phase of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Cote d’Ivoire at the beginning of next year.
Morocco has notably maintained its standing as the 13th-best national football team in the world and continues to lead both African and Arab countries in the global rankings, outranking countries like Senegal and Egypt.
At the 2023 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Moroccan coaches and players were honored in several categories. The national team, led by coach Walid Reguragui, won National Team of the Year. Yassine Bounou was awarded Goalkeeper of the Year, while Hakimi and Amrabat were named in the Best Men XI.
In the women’s category, Fatima Tagnaout received the Interclub Player of the Year for her exceptional performances with both the national team and her club AS FAR, earning her a spot in the Best Woman XI. Additionally, Nesryene El Chad, a 20-year-old defender playing for Lille OSC at club level, won the CAF Women’s Young Player of the Year award.
Also this year, Morocco’s short-statured national football team made a significant impact in the category’s global tournament and contributed to a remarkable revolution in the field of football for people with dwarfism. The team achieved a remarkable feat by reaching the quarter-finals in the category’s inaugural 2023 World Cup held in Argentina, marking a historic milestone for this unique sporting event.
Aside from football, the year 2023 has been a great year for Morocco in other sporting disciplines. This includes athleticism, boxing, taekwondo, kickboxing, Muay Thai, Karate, and many other fields.
Moroccan boxing in global stages
The Moroccan boxing season commenced with the successful 6th edition of the Mohammed VI International Boxing Trophy in Marrakech, where the national team, including both men and women, achieved remarkable success by taking home one gold and three silver medals.
Khadija El Mardi won the world title in the -81 kg category in New Delhi, with this historic achievement making her the first woman from both the Arab and African regions to attain this prestigious honor.
The season finale for Moroccan boxing unfolded gloriously at the African Championship in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where the national team emerged victorious with an impressive haul of 8 gold medals and 2 silver medals.
Moroccan Taekwondo earns global acclaim
Like their compatriots in other sports, Moroccan taekwondo athletes have left an indelible mark on the international stage, securing top positions. Starting at the Arab Cup in Dubai with 13 medals, their success continued at the African Nations Championship in Côte d’Ivoire, earning 11 medals, including 7 golds.
The excellence of Moroccan taekwondo has transcended regional boundaries and earned global recognition over the past year. Notably, the Moroccan women’s and mixed teams secured a prestigious silver medal at the 2023 World Taekwondo Championships in Korea.
In adaptive taekwondo, Moroccan champions excelled at the Grand Prix in Mexico, standing on the podium twice, showcasing their skill and determination.
Soufiane Bekkali takes Morocco to the top of the world
Moroccan race runners joined their compatriots in other sporting disciplines in proudly representing their country on the regional and global stages. They too achieved global success throughout the past months, with the notable point being Morocco’s triumph at the World Championships in Budapest.
Morocco featured honorably at the global championships in the Hungarian capital, with Soufiane Bekkali once again impressing the world with consecutive gold medals in the 3000m steeplechase and Fatima Zahrae Kerdadi taking bronze in the marathon.
Morocco hosted the Mohammed VI International Meeting, where Bekkali set a world best and a new meeting record in the 3000m steeplechase (7:56.68). Meanwhile, at the 9th Francophone Games in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco set a record with 57 medals—22 gold, 16 silver, and 19 bronze.
Moroccan Muay Thai’s Double Triumph in 2023
Moroccan Muay Thai has also earned acclaim on the international stage. At the World Championship in Bangkok, Thailand, the team secured 10 medals. The U23 selection also excelled, claiming the top position at the World Cup in Turkey in 2023 with a total of 10 medals.
Further solidifying their dominance, the national Muay Thai team triumphed at the Mediterranean Championships in Loutraki, Greece, securing an impressive haul of 7 gold medals.
All of these impressive performances and historic triumphs in various sporting disciplines on the regional and global stage have made 2023 a bountiful year for Moroccan sports. From historic football performances and Muay Thai triumphs to moments in athletics and taekwondo, Moroccan athletes have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with in their respective categories.
As Moroccans revel in these victories, they serve as a unifying force and a testament to the nation’s growing prominence in the world of sports. With the promise of continued success, Morocco is gradually emerging as a formidable contender, poised for even greater achievements in the future.
-Morocco World News
The Confederation of African Football has dismissed Yasin Osman Robleh, the Djiboutian official who headed its judicial bodies for the past six years, in a move aimed at restoring confidence in the organisation’s disciplinary processes.
According to reports from convergence sources, the decision was confirmed on Saturday by CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba, bringing an abrupt end to Robleh’s tenure overseeing the confederation’s disciplinary and investigative committees since 2019.
Robleh’s position reportedly came under increasing pressure following the controversy surrounding sanctions imposed after the Africa Cup of Nations Final between Morocco and Senegal. The disciplinary decisions that followed the match sparked criticism from several quarters and placed CAF’s legal framework under intense scrutiny.
In response to the situation, CAF’s Executive Committee has appointed Togolese lawyer Cedric Egai, currently the confederation’s Director of Legal Affairs, as interim head of the judicial bodies.
Egai is expected to stabilise the organisation’s legal arm while CAF works toward appointing a permanent successor to Robleh.
Disciplinary Decisions Delayed
The leadership change has already affected ongoing disciplinary processes within the confederation. CAF’s disciplinary committee reportedly held hearings last Thursday on several cases, including the high-profile encounter involving Egypt’s Al Ahly and Morocco’s AS FAR.
However, decisions on those matters have been temporarily put on hold pending the confirmation of new leadership within the judicial structure.
Sources indicate that once a permanent successor is appointed, CAF will move swiftly to conclude outstanding disciplinary rulings affecting both clubs and national teams.
Restoring Confidence
The move is widely seen as part of CAF’s effort to restore confidence in its judicial system following weeks of controversy surrounding disciplinary decisions at major competitions.
Robleh’s departure closes a significant chapter in CAF’s legal administration, while Egai’s interim appointment signals a potential shift in leadership and governance at a critical time for African football.
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Governing Bodies
Countdown Rule Introduced To Crack Down on Time-Wasting in Substitutions and Spot Kicks
Global football’s law-making body, The International Football Association Board (IFAB), has approved a landmark package of reforms aimed at protecting effective playing time, reducing time-wasting and strengthening disciplinary oversight ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The decisions were taken at IFAB’s 140th Annual General Meeting (AGM), chaired by Mike Jones, President of the Football Association of Wales, during celebrations marking the FAW’s 150th anniversary.
The reforms, which will apply from the 2026/27 season and be implemented at the 2026 World Cup and other competitions, respond to growing calls across the football community for measures that preserve match tempo and reduce deliberate disruption.
Five-Second Countdown for Throw-Ins and Goal Kicks
Building on last season’s amendment preventing goalkeepers from holding the ball for excessive periods, IFAB has extended the countdown principle to throw-ins and goal kicks.
If a referee judges that a restart is being deliberately delayed, a visible five-second countdown will begin. Failure to put the ball back into play within that period will result in possession being awarded to the opposing team. In the case of a delayed goal kick, the sanction escalates to a corner kick for the opposition.
The measure is designed to eliminate a common time-management tactic frequently deployed late in matches.
Strict Timelines for Substitutions
To further streamline match flow, substituted players must leave the field within 10 seconds of the substitution board being displayed or the referee’s signal being given.
Players who exceed that limit must still exit immediately, but their replacement will not be allowed to enter until the next stoppage after one minute of running clock time has elapsed — effectively discouraging slow exits intended to run down the clock.
Mandatory One-Minute Absence After On-Field Treatment
Under another significant change, players who receive on-field medical assessment — or whose injury prompts a stoppage — must leave the pitch and remain off for at least one minute once play resumes.
The rule aims to curb tactical injury interruptions while still safeguarding genuine medical needs.
IFAB also approved further trials to assess goalkeeper-related tactical injury delays and explore deterrent options.
VAR Protocol Expanded to Include Second Yellow Cards
In a notable development for officiating, IFAB expanded the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol.
The VAR will now be permitted to review:
- Red cards resulting from a clearly incorrect second yellow card;
- Mistaken identity cases where the wrong player is cautioned or sent off;
- Clearly incorrectly awarded corner kicks, provided the review can be completed immediately without delaying the restart.
The move addresses longstanding criticism that second cautions — unlike straight red cards — were previously outside VAR review scope, despite their decisive impact on matches.
IFAB also confirmed continued trials of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) and ongoing development of FIFA-led Football Video Support (FVS).
Amendments to the Laws of the Game 2026/27
The next edition of the Laws of the Game, effective 1 July 2026 (with early adoption permitted), will introduce further clarifications and adjustments:
- Law 3: Senior ‘A’ international friendlies may now allow up to eight substitutes, expandable to eleven by mutual agreement.
- Law 4: Non-dangerous equipment will be permitted if safely covered.
- Law 5: Referee body cameras (head- or chest-mounted) may be used at competition discretion, with organisers controlling footage.
- Law 8: Clarifies that a dropped ball will be awarded to the team that would likely have retained possession.
- Laws 10 & 14: Formal incorporation of guidance on accidental “double touch” penalty incidents.
- Law 12: Where advantage is played for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity and a goal is scored, the offender will not be cautioned.
Focus on Discriminatory Behaviour and Player Protests
Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, IFAB agreed that further consultation will be undertaken to develop tougher measures against discriminatory conduct.
The board will also examine scenarios where:
- Players leave the field collectively in protest of refereeing decisions;
- Players cover their mouths while confronting opponents — a practice viewed as undermining transparency.
A Forward-Looking Agenda
The AGM, attended by representatives from FIFA, The FA, the Scottish FA, the FA of Wales, the Irish FA and IFAB administration, signals what officials described as a decisive effort to modernise the sport.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, IFAB’s reforms represent one of the most comprehensive tempo-focused overhauls in recent years — an attempt to ensure that football remains faster, fairer and more resistant to manipulation of time.
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Governing Bodies
Infantino marks 10 years as FIFA President, hails reforms and global expansion of the game
Gianni Infantino has marked the 10th anniversary of his election as FIFA President by declaring that “we have brought football back to FIFA and FIFA back to football,” while thanking the organisation’s 211 member associations for their support over the past decade.
In a letter sent to the presidents of all 211 member associations, Infantino reflected on his election at the Extraordinary Congress in Zurich, Switzerland, on 26 February 2016, recalling that FIFA was facing a crisis that threatened its very existence at the time.
“By voting for me, the FIFA Congress chose to chart a new path forward built on reform, transparency and development,” he wrote. “I believe we have successfully brought football back to FIFA and FIFA back to football. And we have done so together.”
Infantino stressed that unity between FIFA and its Member Associations had been central to the organisation’s transformation.
“It is therefore with a great sense of unity that I would like to extend my deepest thanks for your work, your dedication and, of course, your unwavering support in making this possible and for your role in bringing FIFA back to football over the last 10 years,” he said.
Describing FIFA as “the glue that binds the footballing pyramid and the wider footballing ecosystem together,” Infantino underlined the importance of a strong and trusted governing body for the continued growth of the sport.
“A strong, trusted and unified FIFA is not only desirable, but also in fact necessary for our sport to continue to flourish,” he added. “Although we live in a world marked by division and conflict, football is still the great power that unites us all.”
Key achievements highlighted
In his message, the FIFA President outlined 11 major achievements since 2016, beginning with increased financial support to Member Associations through the FIFA Forward Programme. Introduced in 2016, funding to MAs has increased sevenfold, with associations empowered to determine how best to invest in football development within their territories.
He also pointed to the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, designed to ensure that every young player has the opportunity to develop regardless of financial background or geography, alongside enhanced capacity building in administration, finance, infrastructure, medical services, safeguarding and women’s leadership.
Infantino noted greater involvement of Member Associations in decision-making through FIFA Executive Summits and newly introduced Standing Committees, as well as reforms aimed at boosting transparency, including annual accounts delivered under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and clearer bidding processes for major tournaments.
On the field, the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in 2018 — now implemented in 83 Member Associations — was cited as a key step towards greater fairness. FIFA has since introduced VAR Light and Football Video Support to widen access to video technology. In 2024, all 211 MAs also unanimously backed a Global Stand Against Racism initiative.
Infantino further highlighted expanded playing opportunities across competitions. The FIFA World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams, while the FIFA Women’s World Cup grew to 32 teams in 2023 and is set to expand to 48 from 2031. More than 1,700 women’s development projects have been delivered across 204 Member Associations.
Youth competitions have also been broadened, including the expansion of the FIFA U-17 World Cup for both boys and girls and the introduction of a new festival-style FIFA U-15 Youth World Cup open to all 211 MAs.
The letter referenced relief measures during times of hardship, notably the COVID-19 Relief Plan, which made USD 1.5 billion available, emergency disaster funding via the FIFA Foundation, and a post-conflict recovery fund approved in December 2025 to support football communities affected by war.
At club level, Infantino highlighted the historic first 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, the new FIFA Women’s Club World Cup planned for 2028, and the launch of annual intercontinental competitions and an expanded FIFA Club Benefits Programme.
Concluding his message, Infantino reiterated his gratitude to Member Associations for “keeping the best interests of football at heart,” expressing confidence that a united global football community would continue to drive the sport’s growth in the years ahead.
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