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RABAT, Morocco (AP) – Hosting the African Cup of Nations starting Sunday is a dry run for Morocco and another big step towards becoming a world soccer power. Co-host of the 2030 World Cup<\/span>.<\/p>\nThree years after reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, the North African kingdom will welcome 24 teams from across the continent and spectators to nine new or renovated stadiums in six cities.<\/p>\n
It’s only the second time Morocco<\/span> has hosted tournaments every other year, regularly at times when they host other tournaments. \u201cHome\u201d games for African countries<\/span> After participating in the World Cup qualifying round, they earned the right to host five consecutive U-17 Women’s World Cups. also hosted Women’s Africa Cup of Nations<\/span> In July.<\/p>\nThe beginning of further ambitions<\/h2>\n
Officials are planning the Africa Cup as a high-profile rehearsal for the 2030 World Cup, in which Morocco will be one of the main co-hosts, along with Spain and Portugal. Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay will also each host matches.<\/p>\n
Morocco have high hopes of hosting the final at Hassan II Stadium. The stadium is scheduled to be completed in 2028 and will be the world’s largest soccer stadium, with a capacity of 115,000 people.<\/p>\n
The new national stadium is perhaps the highlight of the most aggressive infrastructure development in African sporting history. Morocco is pursuing rapid development in other areas as well, with airport upgrades, high-speed rail line expansion, and major tourism investments aimed at welcoming tourists to cities such as Marrakech and Tangier.<\/p>\n
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation is also investing in youth development and coaching to raise the overall level of football, including in the luxurious new Mohammed VI Football Complex near Rabat, home to the top African Cup teams.<\/p>\n
Morocco’s most promising young stars are provided with all the facilities they need to develop. It’s already paying off. Morocco’s advancement to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals marks the first time for an African or Arab team to achieve this feat. The country also won the U-20 World Cup in October.<\/p>\n
“It’s not a dream, we have legitimate ambitions.” Forge Recreation<\/span>President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation He told French sports newspaper L’Equipe.<\/span> In July.<\/p>\nLekjar, who also oversees budget matters in Morocco’s prime minister’s cabinet, sees sport as a means of economic development.<\/p>\n
Not everyone is participating<\/h2>\n
Investment is fraught with tensions and a heated debate about the country’s priorities. While thousands of visitors will find areas densely packed with hotels, restaurants, new roads and other tourism infrastructure, large areas of the country offer stark contrasts. In rural areas far from financial centers, residents complain of neglect and lack of investment. Key issues include health, literacy, and employment.<\/p>\n
when ‘Gen Z’ demonstrations sweep Morocco<\/span> This year, protesters chanted “here’s the stadium, but where’s the hospital”, drawing a direct line between investment in football and wider inequality.<\/p>\nYoung people in particular are frustrated by overcrowded schools, dilapidated hospitals and uneven basic services. Prime Minister Aziz Akhanoush’s government was accused of funneling billions of dollars into prestigious projects like stadiums rather than addressing urgent social needs. Several members of the Moroccan national team publicly supported the protests. King Mohammed VI said:<\/span> In October, it was announced that the two categories of development are not in conflict or in competition with each other.<\/p>\nregional distortions<\/h2>\n
The tournament comes as Morocco seeks to strengthen its role as a regional power. As part of the country’s Atlantic Initiative, it is seeking to deepen ties with landlocked countries in West and Central Africa, expanding its banking and telecommunications footprint, and providing countries without coastlines with access to new ports.<\/p>\n
Morocco has moved closer to the United States by normalizing relations with Israel, while also gaining support from most European Union member states to maintain sovereignty over disputed Western Sahara. Despite the conflict, it remains a source of tension with Algeria. United Nations Security Council Resolution<\/span> This year, Morocco brought about a milestone. The Polisario Front, based in southern Algeria, wants independence for the region.<\/p>\nMorocco has moved in recent years to curb immigration from some of the countries participating in the tournament, but it does issue tourist visas to African Cup spectators. For example, visa requirements for people from Ivory Coast were reinstated last year, in part to curb irregular immigration attempts.<\/p>\n
Morocco has long been considered easy access to Europe. share a border<\/span> through the EU Spanish territories Ceuta and Melilla<\/span> It is located on the coast of North Africa, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Spain’s Canary Islands.<\/p>\nSaudi Arabia has faced criticism from migrant rights groups for clearing encampments, moving migrants to remote areas far from European borders and other heavy-handed enforcement measures.<\/p>\n
The Rabat branch of the Moroccan Human Rights Association announced this week that arbitrary arrests and forced deportations of migrants have increased in the run-up to the Africa Cup.<\/p>\n
The final, to be held in Rabat on January 18, will be held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which opened in September.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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