In the message circulated by the Moroccan News Agency, MAP, the monarch wrote:

“On the occasion of your brilliant victory in the Futsal AFCON (Morocco 2025), it gives me great pleasure to extend to you, and through you to all the members of the team, my warmest congratulations on this African title, which further strengthens the ongoing development of women’s football in our country,” the Sovereign writes in the message.

“I take great pride in the fact that your promising team had the honour of winning the first edition of this African championship, hosted successfully by our country, and that you also secured qualification for the first-ever Women’s Futsal World Cup, scheduled towards the end of this year in the Philippines.” 

The King noted that the unprecedented triumph confirms the prominent place now held by Moroccan female players, who are strongly determined to continue achieving honourable results for national football and to make their mark in sporting events across Africa and the world. 

Applauding the high-level performance and deep patriotic spirit demonstrated by the national team players throughout the tournament, the Sovereign expressed His High appreciation for the efforts of all those who contributed to this well-deserved continental achievement, including female players, technical staff, medical and administrative personnel, and officials.

In this message, the King implores the Almighty to grant them continued success in forthcoming continental and international competitions, while assuring them of His High solicitude and benevolence.

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In front of a vibrant home crowd, the Lionesses of the Atlas came from two goals down to secure their first-ever continental title, with Jasmine Demraoui netting the decisive goal in the final minute of regulation time.

The win not only handed Morocco their maiden trophy in women’s futsal but also secured their qualification for the first-ever FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, set to be held in the Philippines from 27 November to 7 December 2025.

 Tanzania, valiant finalists, also booked their spot in the global showpiece.

The final began with Morocco on the back foot as Tanzania’s high press unsettled the hosts. Anastazia Katunzi opened the scoring in the 4th minute, capitalising on a poorly cleared ball to fire her side ahead.
Tanzania doubled their advantage in the 16th minute through Jamila Rajabu, finishing off a swift counter-attack to stun the Rabat crowd.

But Morocco responded with determination. Just before half-time, Doha El Madani calmly slotted home a penalty to pull one back and swing momentum toward the hosts.

Buoyed by the crowd, Morocco returned with renewed energy in the second half. In the 34th minute, Drissia Korrych levelled the tie with a composed finish from a cleverly worked corner.

As the match neared its conclusion, both sides pushed for a winner. Tanzania’s physicality began to fade, while Morocco surged forward with belief. In the dying seconds, Demraoui found space to fire a precise low drive across the goalkeeper to complete a stunning comeback and ignite wild celebrations in Rabat.

Earlier in the day, Cameroon claimed third place with a convincing 4-1 win over Angola.

The tournament’s awards went to Jasmine Demraoui (Best Player, Morocco), Doha El Madani (Top Scorer with 5 goals, Morocco), and Nassra Abbas (Best Goalkeeper, Tanzania). Namibia were recognised with the Fair Play Award.

-CAF

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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.

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

The FIFA Futsal Men’s World Cup enters its 10^th 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. 

FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking

FIFA Futsal Women’s World Ranking

A sold-out Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall witnessed Hicham Dguig write history by joining Egypt as the two teams to have won the continental championship on three occasions.

Goals from Soufiane Borite, Bilal Bakkali, Anas El Ayyane, Idriss Raiss El Fenni, and captain Soufiane El Mesrar were enough to secure Morocco the victory in front of their fans.

The hosts started brightly against the Sable Antelopes in Rabat, with Soufiane El Mesrar and Soufian Charraoui coming close to breaking the deadlock for Hicham Dguig’s side.

Backed by their vocal fans, Morocco scored the opener after 6 minutes through Soufiane Borite. The FC Kemi ace latched onto Raiss El Fenni’s cross to guide his effort into an unguarded Angolan goal.

The Sable Antelopes responded to draw level when Aderito Santo slotted in the equalizer with a composed finish at the back post.

The two sides continued to attack as they battled for the next goal of the match, and it was the Atlas Lions who grabbed it four minutes before the break, courtesy of Idriss Raiss El Fenni, to send the home fans into wild celebrations.

Captain El Mesrar gave Morocco a two-goal advantage just before halftime when he squared Bilal Fenni’s through ball.

Anas El Ayyane and Bilal Bakkali completed the Atlas Lions’ comprehensive victory with two late goals to secure their third consecutive title.

Morocco, Angola, and Libya will represent the continent at the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan later this year.

GehadArafa’s side showed their class and experience against the tournament newcomers on Sunday, 14 April at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall.

Mohamed Farag forced a save from Cee-Jay Van Wyk in the Brave 5 goal before a clever interchange of Egyptian passes freed Khaled Abdelhalim at the back post but the Saudi based star fired against the post.

The three time champions broke the deadlock after 5 minutes through Alaa Eissa’s effort. Khaled Abbas smashed a shot straight into the midriff of Van Wyk as the Egyptians pushed to their second.

Mohamed Abdelrazak Koki missed a great opportunity to extend their lead while Nanguel Kamatuka saw his goal bound shot cleared off the line by an Egyptian defender.

The debutants leveled matters eight minutes before halftime courtesy of Reginald Clive Willemse’s stunning finish. Willemse pounced on a loose ball just outside the area to rifle his effort into the roof of the Pharaohs net.

Egypt regained their lead a minute later when Khaled Abdelhalim curled a delightful shot past Van Wyk but his celebrations were short lived as Rowen Jager equalised for the spirited Namibians.

Captain Ken Salote missed the target to put Ryan Jago’s men in front at the magnificent Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall. Namibia  were punished on the stroke of halftime for wasting their chances when Mohamed Abdelrazek Koki slotted in their third to go into the break with a 3-2 advantage.

The North Africans extended their lead in the first minute of the second half when Essam Ramadan drilled in a low drive past Van Wyk to make it 4-2.

Mohamed Abdelrazek Koki scored his second of the match to give the Egyptians a handsome 5-2 advantage before Abdelrahman Moawad made it 6-2 with a toe poke finish to beat Cee-Jay.

Namibia keeper Ryiena Riya pulled a goal back on either side of Ahmed Mohamed’s quick double. Khaled Abdelhalim scored a second to put Egypt 9-3 up before Ahmed Mohamed completed his hat trick to make it 10-3 for the tournament’s most successful team. 

Egypt sit at the summit of the  Group B with 6 points with Mauritania in second with 3 points ahead of their match against Libya alongside Namibia are without a point.

Under the leadership of Hicham Dguig, the team produced a dominant performance against the Black Stars at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall on Saturday night.

The hosts wasted no time in taking the lead, as Youssef Jouad found the net with a side-footed finish just 15 seconds into the game, leaving goalkeeper Rapheal Tsigbe helpless.

Captain Soufiane El Mesrar doubled Morocco’s advantage two minutes later with a powerful left-footed strike from outside the area, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans.

Although Prince Arthur pulled one back for Ghana six minutes later with a deflected set piece, the Atlas Lions swiftly restored their two-goal lead through a splendid goal by Soufiane Charraoui.

Soufiane El Mesrar extended Morocco’s lead to 4-1 after a clever play from Youssef Jouad, but Ghana’s Philip Nii Boye managed to score his team’s second goal before halftime.

The second half saw a closely contested battle between the two teams, with both sides creating scoring opportunities. However, it was Morocco’s El Mesrar who won a penalty 12 minutes into the half, which Bilal Bakkali converted to make it 6-3 in favor of Morocco.

Late goals from Khalid Bouzid and Youssef Jouad sealed the comprehensive victory for Morocco, delighting their supporters in attendance.

With this result, the Atlas Lions sit atop Group A with six points from two matches, while Angola and Zambia follow closely with three points each. Ghana remains at the bottom of the group without a point.

-CAF

The two time champions of the tournament showed their resolve in front of an expectant home crowd to see off the spirited Angolans.

Soufian Charraoui was the star of the match scoring a hat trick to propel the defending champions to victory at the sold out Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall.

Helber Garcia silenced the home crowd after seven minutes with a well taken goal to beat Abdelkrim Anbia.

Hicham Dguig regrouped his team and they replied just after the restart courtesy of Idriss Raiss El Fenni’s low drive. 

The winners of the last two tournaments won a free kick just outside the Angolan box and Ismail Amazal squared the ball to Raiss to level matters for the hosts.

Soufian Charraoui fired Morocco in front six minutes before the break to send the home faithful into wild celebrations.

The fearless Angolans continued to fight and came close twice before halftime. 

Helber Garcia and Joâo Cambangula saw their goal bound efforts tipped over by the impressive Abdelkrim Anbia.

Anas El Ayyane scored the third for Morocco with a stylish dinked effort over the onrushing Gabriel Domingos to make it 3-1 two minutes into the second half.

Soufian Charraoui doubled his tally and extended Morocco’s lead with a toe-poked effort just outside the area. 

The Holland-born ace completed his hat trick three minutes from time to complete the route for the pre tournament favorites.

Angola pulled a goal back late on but it was only enough for a consolation as the hosts moved joint top of the group with Zambia who beat Ghana with the same scoreline.

The Atlas Lions will face Zambia on Saturday, 13 April at the Salle Prince Moulay Abdellah at 20:00 GMT after Angola’s crucial match against Ghana at 17:00 GMT.

The World Cup quarter-finalists will be playing behind an expectant home faithful when they open their account against Angola at the Salle Prince Moulay Abdellah on Thursady, 11 April, 2024 at 20:00 GMT.  

Morocco have won the last two editions of the highly technical fast-paced indoor football competition.

“It’s a positive problem and a challenge which we have to face but when the matches are played here it helps us to improve,” Dguig said at his pre-match press conference.

“Angola is a strong team and the public have to know that, and they play without any pressure and they have a coach from Portugal who are one of the best, but we hope our strategies will help us win the match.”

The two-time African champions have enjoyed massive progress under the tutelage of experienced coach Hicham Dguig, they’re currently ranked eighth on the World Rankings.

“The preparations are going on very well and the objective is very well to defend our title and qualify for the World Cup for the fourth time in a row,” Dguig said.

“The pressure is very real and when we get into the competition we have only one objective which is to be in the top spot.

“We have a lot of players who are talented from the clubs in the championship but we need players with experience who have the habit of playing together. That’s why I selected these players” concluded the coach.

The Atlas Lions will be hoping the support from their home fans will be enough to secure them a record equaling third CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations titles.

CAF