The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is far more than just another football tournament for Morocco. It represents the culmination of decades of strategic planning and investment—a bold statement that the Kingdom is ready to host world-class events while reshaping perceptions of African capability on the global stage. Through seamless integration of sports, diplomacy, and infrastructure, Morocco is leveraging AFCON as a powerful engine of soft power, enhancing its geopolitical credibility and influence.
A Masterclass in Vision-Driven Development
Morocco’s preparation for AFCON 2025 reveals an organizational maturity rarely seen in African football. From cutting-edge stadiums and transport networks to advanced digital infrastructure and security, the country is demonstrating it can deliver at a level comparable to top European hosts.
“The Kingdom has been investing in modern stadiums and urban infrastructure for many years, not because of AFCON, but as part of a broader national development strategy,” says Omar Khyari, advisor to Royal Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa. “The country did not wait for AFCON or the World Cup to transform itself.”
This vision-driven approach is evident across Morocco’s landscape: Al Boraq, Africa’s only high-speed train, seamlessly connects major cities; airports and highways have seen sustained investment; and the soon-to-be-completed Grand Stade Hassan II near Casablanca will become the world’s largest football stadium, with a capacity of 115,000.
“These achievements demonstrate that Morocco’s readiness is not event-driven but vision-driven,” Khyari explains. AFCON 2025, therefore, becomes “part of a broader continuum, not a starting point.”
By the Numbers: An AFCON of Unprecedented Scale
AFCON 2025 is breaking records, redefining what is possible for African football tournaments:
- Revenue & Sponsorship: Total projected revenue reaches $192.6 million, with sponsorship alone at $126.16 million—more than double the 2021 edition.
- Broadcast Reach: A record 20 broadcast deals across 30 European territories, with the opening match shown in over 180 countries. For the first time, all 52 matches will be free-to-air in the UK.
- Team & Prize Investment: All 24 teams will enjoy dedicated 5-star hotel camps with advanced training facilities. The total prize fund has risen 43% to $32 million, with the winner receiving $10 million—a 100% increase from 2021.
- Technology & Presentation: Every match will utilize 4K HDR broadcasts, drones, and spidercams, setting a new production standard for African sports.
These figures underscore Morocco’s commitment to delivering a tournament of unmatched scale and sophistication, prompting CAF’s Secretary General to hail it as the “best ever” AFCON.
More Than a Tournament: A Strategic Investment in Influence
Globally, nations have long recognized that major sporting events are strategic investments in diplomacy, commerce, and soft power. Morocco is no exception. AFCON 2025 is a calculated move to elevate the Kingdom’s international profile while shifting perceptions of African organizational capability.
Rather than competing against the continent, Morocco is lifting it up—establishing a new benchmark for excellence that inspires neighboring nations. This effort aligns with even larger ambitions, including co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup and potentially positioning Morocco as a future host for Africa’s first Olympic Games.
Soft Power Through Execution, Not Just Spectacle
While countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and China have used sports to accelerate their global standing, Morocco’s approach is distinct. It is arguably the first African nation to embed sports within a state-level strategy for growth and diplomacy. The focus is less on grand gestures and more on reliability, credibility, and consistent delivery.
Beyond sporting prestige, this strategy reinforces Morocco’s geopolitical role as a bridge between Africa, Europe, and the wider world. Hosting a flawless AFCON now, ahead of the 2030 World Cup, signals that the Kingdom is a stable, capable partner on the international stage.
A Message to the World
AFCON 2025 is not a trial run—it is a declaration. Morocco is proving that African nations need not dream of competing on the global stage; they can already lead there. Through vision, investment, and execution, the Kingdom is ensuring the continent is seen not as an aspirant, but as a central character in the emerging global story.
In the end, the true legacy of AFCON 2025 may not be the trophy lifted, but the lasting confidence it instills—in Morocco, in Africa, and in the world watching a continent proudly claim its place in the spotlight.
BY: The Times Union
