Football in Morocco

Moroccan football. — Football in Morocco

Football in Morocco is a national obsession with a rich history and a reputation for producing some of Africa's most passionate fan cultures and top-tier talent. Morocco's national team, The Atlas Lions, made history as the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022.

They also won the 2025 African Cup of Nations held on home soil. Morocco was awarded a 3-0 forfeit victory in the final vs Senegal after review*.

Morocco will co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. It is the first time the tournament has had matches in Africa since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.


Morocco World Cup 2026 Copyright © Soccerphile	Morocco World Cup 2026 Copyright © Soccerphile

The Domestic League: Botola Pro

The Botola Pro (officially Botola Pro Inwi) is the top division of Moroccan football. Established in 1956 following Moroccan independence, it is widely regarded as one of the most competitive and highest-quality domestic leagues in Africa and the Arab world.

Structure: The top tier features 16 clubs operating on a double round-robin system (home and away, total 30 matches per season) running from August to May.
Continental Spots: The top two teams qualify for the CAF Champions League, while third place and the winner of the Throne Cup (Coupe du Trône) qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup.
Relegation: The bottom two clubs are relegated directly to Botola Pro 2.

Famous Clubs

Moroccan football is dominated by historic powerhouses in Casablanca and Rabat, known for generating legendary continental runs and vocal ultras fan movements.

Club	Nickname	Highlights & Reputation
Wydad AC	The Red Castle	One of Morocco's most successful clubs. Holders of a record 22 Botola titles and 3 CAF Champions League trophies. They are half of the legendary Casablanca Derby.
Raja CA	The Green Devils	Casablanca's global icon. Known for their flair and deep international fanbase, Raja has won 13 Botola titles, 3 CAF Champions League trophies, and finished as runners-up in the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup.
AS FAR Rabat	The Military Club	The pride of the capital. Founded in 1958, AS FAR holds 13 Botola titles and was the first Moroccan club to win the CAF Champions League (1985).
RS Berkane	The Oranges	The modern continental force. Based in eastern Morocco, Berkane has risen quickly into a major player, winning multiple CAF Confederation Cup titles in recent years.
Maghreb Fès (MAS)	The Yellow Canaries	Based in the historic city of Fez, MAS is one of Morocco’s traditional giants with multiple league and domestic cup triumphs.

Ibn Batouta Stadium (Tangier). — Ibn Batouta Stadium (Tangier)

Stadiums

Morocco boasts world-class sporting infrastructure, serving as host to major international events such as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup. However, the country experienced major youth-led, Gen-Z, anti-government street protests starting in late September and October 2025 over the country's heavy spending on stadiums and sports infrastructure for the 2030 FIFA World Cup (including the planned 115,000-capacity King Hassan II Stadium) and the Africa Cup of Nations, while public services like healthcare and education faced severe shortages.

Stade Mohammed V (Casablanca)

Capacity: ~67,000 Significance: The cathedral of Moroccan club football. Home to both Wydad AC and Raja CA, it hosts the world-famous Casablanca Derby and historic continental finals.

Grand Stade de Tanger / Ibn Batouta Stadium (Tangier)

Capacity: ~75,000+ Significance: A modern arena in northern Morocco that hosts major international fixtures, friendly matches, and Club World Cup events.

Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. — Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium

Stade Moulay Abdellah (Rabat)

Capacity: ~50,000+ (undergoing expansion/reconstruction for upcoming mega-events) Significance: Located in the capital city, it serves as the traditional fortress for the national team and AS FAR Rabat.

Grand Stade de Marrakech (Marrakech)

Capacity: ~45,000 Significance: Famous for its distinct architectural design incorporating local brick motifs, hosting international tournaments and national team fixtures.

Stade Adrar (Agadir)

Capacity: ~45,000 Significance: Modern coastal stadium in southern Morocco, home to Hassania Agadir and a frequent host for international friendly matches.

Stade Mohammed V (Casablanca). — Stade Mohammed V (Casablanca)

2025 AFCON

*Morocco won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations by a 3-0 administrative forfeit awarded by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Board after Senegal walked off the pitch during the final.

The 2025 AFCON final took place on January 18, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, between host nation Morocco and Senegal.

In stoppage time of regular time, the referee awarded a late penalty to Morocco following a VAR review and disallowed a Senegalese goal.

Protesting the decision, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw led his team off the field. Play was suspended for roughly 15 minutes before Senegal returned. Morocco's Brahim Díaz took the penalty, which was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. The match went to extra time, where Pape Gueye scored to give Senegal a 1-0 win on the pitch. On March 17, 2026, the CAF Appeals Board overturned the on-field result and stripped Senegal of the title.