The year 2024 will remain engraved in the history of Moroccan sport, not only for its exceptional moments of glory, but also for the deep disappointments which tarnished certain key sectors. The Paris Olympic tournament gave Morocco immense pride thanks to the men's Football team, which won a historic bronze medal. This success is not limited to a sporting reward, it symbolizes revenge for years of Olympic scarcity in team sports.
The national team, led by a talented and resilient generation, was able to overcome tough opponents and sometimes unfavorable contexts. This bronze medal, the first collective award in Moroccan Olympic history, is a major turning point which opens the way to new ambitions for national football on the world stage.
At the same time, Soufiane El Bakkali confirmed his status as a living legend of Moroccan athletics. With a gold medal masterfully won in the 3000 meters steeplechase, Bakkali has definitively entered the Pantheon of Moroccan sport, joining the legendary figures of Hicham El Guerrouj, Said Aouita, Nawal El Moutawakil, Brahim Boutayeb and Khalid Skah. This exceptional performance demonstrates not only his individual talent, but also the resilience and rigor that characterize long-time Moroccan champions. Bakkali is now a reference, a model for younger generations aspiring to shine under the national colors.
However, beyond these resounding successes, the Olympic year also revealed deep flaws in the management of certain Moroccan sports delegations, particularly in flagship disciplines such as boxing, athletics and other individual sports. Scandals linked to mismanagement, internal conflicts and power struggles have left deep scars. Poor coaches, poorly prepared athletes and federations undermined by influence games contributed to a disappointing picture. This organizational debacle is a wake-up call for the governing bodies of Moroccan sport, which must imperatively carry out structural reforms and restore transparent and effective governance.
In contrast to these failures, the Paralympic Games were a breath of fresh air for Moroccan sport. Moroccan Paralympic athletes have shone through their determination, talent and courage in the face of adversity. 15 medals were won, and some performances even made an impression at the international level. Paralympic Morocco has shown that despite the sometimes glaring lack of resources, will and commitment can move mountains. These athletes deserve national recognition commensurate with their achievements and continued support to prepare for upcoming international events.
On a footballing level, the year 2024 was also that of a thoughtful transition led by Walid Regragui. After the historic epic at the 2022 World Cup, the national coach has undertaken a renewal of his squad with strong choices. One year before an African Cup of Nations organized at home in December 2025, the men's national team displays a rejuvenated face, ambitious and determined to reconquer the continental title. The road is still long, but the signs are encouraging, and the entire country remains behind its Atlas Lions.
As for women's football, the situation is more bitter. The failure to qualify for the Olympic Games felt like a huge disappointment after the notable progress made in recent years. However, all is not lost. With the women's CAN scheduled for Morocco in 2025, the national team has a golden opportunity to redeem itself. The preparation must be impeccable, past mistakes must serve as lessons, and structural support must be put in place to allow the Atlas Lionesses to compete with the best teams on the continent and win this historic continental title.
The Botola Pro, for its part, had a frustrating season. The stadium renovation and construction projects, although necessary to modernize the country's sports infrastructure, have deprived supporters of the electric atmosphere for which the Moroccan championship is renowned. Despite this, some glimmers of hope have emerged. The return of Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat to a competitive level reminded everyone that these two historic clubs remain pillars of national football. However, the passion for Moroccan football will only be fully expressed once the new stadiums are delivered and the venues are ready to welcome the crowds.
On the diplomatic level, Morocco has brilliantly used sport as a strategic lever to strengthen its international influence. Thanks to the enlightened vision of King Mohammed VI, the country obtained the organization of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and was chosen to co-organize the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. These two major events will place Morocco at the center of the sporting world and will offer considerable economic and social opportunities. Furthermore, the installation of a FIFA office in Rabat and the choice of Marrakech to house the headquarters of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) demonstrate the central place that Morocco now occupies in the governance of world football. and continental.
These diplomatic successes are not the result of chance. They are the result of a thoughtful strategy, massive investments in infrastructure and a strong political will to position sport as a driver of national development and international influence. This vision must now be accompanied by exemplary sports governance to avoid the disappointments observed during the last Olympic Games.
In conclusion, the year 2024 was a mirror of the paradoxes of Moroccan sport: glorious peaks, bitter failures, but also promising prospects. The successes of the Olympic football team and Soufiane El Bakkali will be remembered as historic moments. The performances of Paralympic athletes have inspired an entire nation, while the structural and organizational challenges remind us that the road to excellence is still long. However, with a men's CAN in December 2025 and a women's CAN during the summer in addition to a women's U17 World Cup, a men's U17 CAN coupled with the prospect of a World Cup in 2030, Morocco has all the cards to continue to write your sporting history with ambition and pride.
Furthermore, in 2024, Moroccan football lost three of its emblematic figures: Abdelaziz Barrada, Abdelkader Lecheheb and Hassan Akesbi. Three generations, three unique journeys, but an unwavering commitment to raising the colors of Morocco high.
These three men carried the values of Moroccan football: excellence, perseverance and respect. Their passing leaves a void but their legacy will continue to inspire. Morocco does not forget its children and the Moroccan Football Museum, inaugurated on March 21, 2024 in Maâmora, now protects this heritage and this duty of memory.
*Secretary general and associated researcher at NejMaroc (Moroccan Center for Research on Globalization)
