By Kunle Solaja.

Morocco’s triumph at the FIFA Arab Cup is the latest chapter in a football story that has become increasingly familiar: the Kingdom winning, and doing so with purpose.

The victory, achieved with a squad far from Morocco’s strongest selection, underlines how deep the country’s football reservoir has become. It also reinforces a wider narrative — that Morocco’s resurgence is not accidental, but the outcome of a long-term national vision that has turned the Kingdom into one of the most consistent football powers in Africa and the Arab world.

From the historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar — the first by any African or Arab nation — to the exploits of the Olympic team at Paris 2024, following their triumph as African U-23 champions, Morocco has made success a habit rather than a surprise.

Speaking to Sports Village Square on telephone, Houda El Kinani, Director of Casablanca-based Moumen Travel, described the recent wave of trophies as the “return on investment” of decisions taken over a decade ago.

“These victories are not flashes,” she said. “They are the result of seeds planted about ten years ago. What we are seeing now is the return on investment.”

That investment is paying off across multiple fronts. The team fielded at the FIFA Arab Cup was largely made up of home-based players, while the top-tier Atlas Lions are preparing to chase continental glory on home soil as hosts of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations.

At the moment, Morocco also holds the record for successive international wins — a streak that could stretch to 19 matches when they open their AFCON campaign against Comoros on Sunday.

Beyond results on the pitch, Morocco has emerged as Africa’s most reliable football host, staging CAF and FIFA competitions with clockwork efficiency.

Massive capital and human investments have transformed sports infrastructure, positioning football as a pillar of the Kingdom’s economic and diplomatic strategy.

After every major Moroccan victory, Sports Village Square is often inundated with messages from patriotic Moroccans at home and abroad.

Morocco’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Moha Ouali Tagma, regularly sends congratulatory notes highlighting another national milestone from the country fondly known as the “Kingdom of Light” and the “Land of Football.” His messages consistently point to the high-level importance accorded to sports within the Kingdom.

At the heart of this football revolution is King Mohammed VI. His congratulatory messages to national teams after major victories — including last August’s CHAN triumph — are more than ceremonial. They reflect a monarch whose personal passion for football has shaped the trajectory of Moroccan sport since ascending the throne in 1999.

That vision took concrete form in 2008 with a National Sports Strategy, followed in 2009 by the launch of the Mohammed VI Football Academy.

Today, many of the stars who dazzled the world at Qatar 2022 passed through its system. The opening of the Mohammed VI Football Centre in 2019 further cemented Morocco’s status as a global football hub, providing an integrated ecosystem for players, coaches, analysts, referees, and administrators.

The results have been striking: dominance across men’s, women’s, youth, and club competitions, and unprecedented financial returns through FIFA programmes that reward structured domestic leagues.

Morocco’s rise, observers note, contrasts sharply with countries that rely on occasional talent surges or short-term fixes. While others celebrated qualification alone, Morocco quietly built an empire — one rooted in policy consistency, institutional stability, and national purpose.

At the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, banners declaring “This time, the trophy is our dream” no longer read like wishful thinking. They sound like statements of intent.

With the FIFA Arab Cup now added to an expanding honours list, Morocco’s message to Africa and the football world is unmistakable: winning is no longer an ambition — it is a culture.

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FIFA has overturned the results of three Malaysia matches after finding they had fielded ineligible players, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said on Wednesday, in the latest setback for the team amid a widening document forgery scandal.

FIFA had suspended seven naturalised players for 12 months and fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs ($439,257) in September after finding false documentation had been used to allow them to play in an Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam in June.

World soccer’s governing body dismissed an appeal by FAM last month, saying it would launch a formal probe into the association’s internal operations and notify authorities in five countries of potential criminal proceedings.

FAM said in response it would bring the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

In its latest decision, FIFA’s disciplinary committee also changed the results of three friendlies the players had appeared in, handing down 3-0 defeats for games against Cape Verde on May 29, Singapore on September 4 and Palestine on September 8, FAM said.

The association has also been fined 10,000 Swiss francs.

Malaysia had drawn 1-1 with Cape Verde and earned 2-1 and 1-0 wins over Singapore and Palestine.

“FAM will make a written application to obtain the reasons for the decision from the FIFA disciplinary committee before considering the next steps to be taken in this matter,” the association said.

FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside of business hours.

The scandal has sparked uproar in Malaysia, with fans and some lawmakers calling for action against FAM as well as government agencies responsible for granting the players’ citizenship.

Last month, the association suspended its secretary-general and formed an independent committee to investigate what it called a “technical error”.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has vowed full transparency in domestic probes, but stressed that FAM should be allowed to defend itself.

-Reuters

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By Gary Al-Smith, Doha, Qatar

In a defining moment for Arab football, the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 ongoing in Qatar surpassed the one-million mark in stadium attendance following the quarterfinal stage, setting a new benchmark for regional tournaments. It also signaled the competition’s ascent onto the global stage, while offering lessons for Africa.

The total turnout reached 1,022,592 spectators as the quarterfinals concluded on Friday, with the mark reached in the UAE’s 7-6 victory over Algeria on penalties (1-1 in regulation time).

This figure that represents not merely numbers in seats but a seismic shift in the trajectory of Arab football, and equally as important, a sign to African football that planning and consistency does eventually pay off.

To contextualize the achievement: the 2021 edition drew 571,605 total fans across its entire run, meaning that this 2025 tournament has nearly doubled that figure before even reaching its finale.

A Testament to Growing Stature

The milestone carries particular weight as only the second edition organized under FIFA’s umbrella, following the governing body’s decision to institutionalize the competition. What began as a regional tournament with sporadic scheduling has transformed into a fixture on the international calendar, with future editions confirmed through 2033.

The group stage alone attracted a record-breaking 812,318 fans across 24 matches, outpacing the entire 2021 tournament before knockout rounds even began. The quarterfinals added over 200,000 more spectators in just four matches, demonstrating sustained engagement rather than isolated peaks.

The numbers tell a story of competitive intensity matched by public passion. The Morocco-Saudi Arabia clash drew 78,131 fans, establishing a new all-time tournament record that eclipsed the previous high of 63,439 from 2021. The Saudi Arabia-Palestine quarterfinal followed closely with 77,197 spectators, transforming Lusail Stadium into what observers described as a cauldron of regional pride.

An inspirational blueprint for Africa’s regional competitions

For other regional tournaments such as Africa’s WAFU, CECAFA and COSAFA, who are all seeking to elevate their profile, the Arab Cup offers a compelling blueprint. Several elements stand out as replicable models:

Infrastructure Investment: Quality venues matter. The Arab Cup benefits from stadiums designed for the highest level of competition, creating an environment where fans feel they are witnessing something significant.

Institutional Backing: FIFA’s involvement provides both credibility and organizational expertise. The governing body’s commitment to multiple future editions creates certainty that encourages long-term fan investment in the tournament’s narrative.

Cultural Integration: Beyond the stadiums, Qatar’s fan zones at locations including Katara, Msheireb, Souq Waqif, Lusail, and The Pearl have offered immersive experiences blending entertainment and heritage. The tournament has become more than football matches; it is positioned as a celebration of Arab culture and unity.

Consistent Scheduling: By establishing a regular four-year cycle, the tournament allows narratives to build and rivalries to deepen. Fans can plan around it, creating ritual and tradition.

Competitive Integrity: The quality on the pitch validates the spectacle off it. With established powers and emerging nations competing on relatively equal footing, every match carries genuine consequence.

Why This Milestone Matters

The significance extends beyond impressive attendance figures. For decades, regional tournaments outside Europe and South America have struggled to capture sustained public imagination or international recognition. The Arab Cup’s transformation challenges that narrative.

Seven of the participating nations have already qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, indicating that the tournament features genuine competitive quality rather than serving as merely ceremonial. The technical level has drawn comparisons to continental championships, with observers noting that the intensity rivals that of the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.

Perhaps most importantly, the milestone validates FIFA’s investment in the tournament. By lending its organizational expertise and global brand, FIFA has helped elevate what was once an inconsistently scheduled regional event into a competition that commands attention. The decision to host three consecutive editions in Qatar through 2033 provides the stability that breeds growth.

The infrastructure tells its own story. Qatar’s World Cup-standard venues have proven their versatility, transitioning seamlessly from hosting the planet’s premier tournament in 2022 to providing the backdrop for this regional celebration. The six stadiums hosting matches hold minimum capacities of 40,000, and they have been filled with energy that evokes memories of World Cup atmospheres.

Looking Forward

As the tournament enters its semifinal stage, attendance is expected to climb even higher. The trajectory suggests that the 2025 edition will not merely surpass its predecessor but will establish a new standard for what regional competitions can achieve.

For Arab football, the milestone represents validation of decades of development and investment. For global football, and African football in particular, it demonstrates that with the right combination of infrastructure, organization, and cultural resonance, regional tournaments can capture imagination on a scale once reserved for continental and global competitions.

The one-million-fan threshold is more than a number, but a sure signal that Arab football has arrived on the global stage, not as a curiosity but as a force. And for tournament organizers worldwide, it offers an inspiring reminder that with vision and commitment, regional competitions can transcend their traditional limitations and create something truly extraordinary.

The semifinals await, and with them, the opportunity to write the next chapter in what is rapidly becoming one of international football’s most compelling success stories.

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