FUTSAL
With CAN Futsal 2024, Morocco confirms status as ultimate football destination in Africa
On Thursday, Moroccan football culture attains a new height as the seventh edition of CAF Futsal AFCON gets underway.
Just like the Women’s Afcon, which the kingdom is hosting back-to-back, Morocco is hosting the Futsal for the second successive time.
Eight teams are line-up in Rabat from 11-21 April 2024. An indication of Morocco’s growing influence is the fact the the kingdom has won the last two titles of the quadrennial competition which has two debutants Namibia and Mauritania.
Ever-ready to host tournaments, Morocco refurbished the Salle Prince Moulay Abdellah and Salle IBN Yassine as venues for the exciting fast-paced eight nations indoor football competition.
Like in other competitions hosted by Morocco, full houses are again expected to fill the world-class Salle Prince Moulay Abdellah and the Salle IBN Yassine venues for the thrilling matches.
This indoor football continental competition promises to be a new coronation for the Kingdom of Morocco as it continues to confirm its leadership in the sports field and its commitment to the development of African football.
This is understandable considering the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the first promoter of a greater involvement of Morocco on the African continent and champion of South-South cooperation. One of His Majesty’s contribution is the sumptuous Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.
Under the current monarch, Morocco has already accumulated a rich experience and undeniable know-how in the organization of major sporting events.
The 2018 CHAN, the 2020 CAN Futsal in Laayoune, the last and next Women’s CAN, the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, the U23 CAN, the next five editions of the U17 Women’s CAN as well as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup are testimonies of the country’s high level sports organisation.
Thanks to its high-level infrastructure, Morocco hosted more than 19 African teams that came to play international football matches during the last FIFA window in March.
This success story is the fruit of the enlightened vision of King Mohammed VI, who attaches particular importance to the development of sport and the promotion of the values of fair play and solidarity.
The Sovereign spares no effort to make Morocco a privileged host land for major sporting competitions and a key player in the African sporting landscape.
Morocco, a talented football nation
Morocco is not only a leader in terms of organization, but it is also a talented football nation. The kingdom is not just a participant, Morocco also present strong teams.
The national futsal team is the perfect illustration of this. Indeed, the Atlas Lions have won the last two CAN Futsal and reached the quarter-finals of the last World Cup.
They are currently ranked 8th in the FIFA Futsal rankings, confirming their status as a continental power in this discipline.
The 2024 CAN Futsal will therefore be an opportunity for Morocco to once again demonstrate its talent and passion for football.
The national team will be keen to thrill the Moroccan public and lift the trophy for the third time in a row.
An event that carries values
The organization of the 2024 CAN Futsal is not just a sporting competition. It is also an event that carries noble values such as South-South cooperation, unity and African solidarity.
Morocco, faithful to its commitment to the continent, will do everything possible to make the 2024 CAN Futsal a resounding success and a symbol of the unity and dynamism of African football.
In conclusion, Morocco is positioning itself as the leader of African football as a host country and a talented nation.
The 2024 CAN Futsal promises to be a grand event that will allow the Kingdom to share its passion for football with the rest of the continent and confirm its leadership on the African sporting scene.
The Kingdom of Morocco which has been the rallying point for hosting various football events in Africa and the globe generally is aiming for more events.
The president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekja has announced that the kingdom will bid for the next Futsal World Cup. His action stems from the performance of Morocco’s team at this year’s Futsal in Uzbekistan.
Morocco got to the quarter-finals. Lekja made the remarks at a ceremony held at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Sale, the FRMF honoured Morocco’s national futsal team.
He praised the team’s performance and as he spoke about Morocco’s growing reputation in football. “Under the guidance of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, we are making significant strides in football development at regional, continental, and international levels,” said Lekjaa.
He further urged futsal officials to develop a comprehensive strategy to elevate the sport, especially in light of Morocco’s upcoming bid to host the Futsal World Cup.
Hicham Dguig, the national futsal team coach, expressed gratitude for the support received upon the team’s return from Uzbekistan.
Captain Soufiane El Mesrar echoed these sentiments, speaking to the substantial resources provided to the team and the importance of continued progress to maintain Morocco’s standing in the sport.
As Morocco prepares to host major football tournaments, including AFCON 2025 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, its ambitions to host the Futsal World Cup further showcase the country’s dedication to cementing itself as a global football hub.
France brushed off allegations of match-fixing after their 4-1 defeat by Iran sent them into a softer part of the draw at the Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan.
After a lifeless first half, Iran easily prevailed after France conceded a soft opening goal in the second, triggering angry reactions from other teams, some of whom filed complaints to world governing body FIFA.
“FIFA is aware of complaints filed by participating teams at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 regarding the Group F match between France and IR Iran,” a FIFA spokesperson said in a statement.
“No further comment will be made while this process is ongoing.”
The French Football Federation was not immediately available for comment.
While both teams had already qualified for the last 16, the result means France will take on Thailand before a potential quarter-final against Paraguay, while Iran face Morocco ahead of a possible last-eight clash against world number one Brazil.
“Iran and France, coaches and players alike, have disgraced my sport. You are a disgrace to the world,” Thailand coach Miguel Rodrigo wrote on X.
Retired Brazil great Falcao was quoted by French media as saying: “It shows a lack of respect for the World Cup. The match was clearly fixed from the first minute.”
France coach Raphael Reynaud said the way the match played out was about avoiding bookings and injuries.
“It was Iran’s responsibility to be in charge of the game,” he said. “The draw is more open for us but our main goal was not to get booked and to avoid injuries.”
-Reuters
Nigeria did not make the cut as FIFA makes an inaugural Futsal Men’s and Women’s World Rankings. This could be due to the inactivity of the country in that aspect of football – the indoor soccer.
The FIFA Futsal Men’s World Cup enters its 10th edition this year in Uzbekistan, but Nigeria had taken part only once in 1992 in Hong Kong.
The Nigerian team came last in Group A comprising of Argentina, Poland and Hong Kong after losing all three matches.
In contrast, Morocco are ranked Africa’s number one and sixth in the world. Thanks to their recent victory was winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Futsal tournament, when they beat Angola 5-1 in the finals.
Among the top-ranked countries alongside Morocco are Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Iran, and Argentina.
Brazil led the FIFA Futsal Ranking, followed by Portugal in second place, Spain in third place, Iran in fourth place, and Argentina in fifth place.
Morocco, in sixth place, is followed by Russia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, and France.
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