Forbes Ranks Morocco 1st Among Arab World's 5 Most Valuable National Football Teams
'Five Arab national football teams have secured spots among the world's 64 most valuable squads,' Forbes wrote today.
In its world ranking by market value, Forbes ranked Morocco 14th globally.
With a market value of $432.5 million, Forbes recalled that the national team made headlines with a historic fourth-place finish during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
'Ranked first in Africa according to the FIFA Men's World Ranking as of April 3, 2025, the Atlas Lions are gearing up to host the Africa Cup of Nations at the end of the year, with sights set on claiming their second continental title,' Forbes said.
Forbes emphasized that the Atlas Lions are building toward the 2030 FIFA World Club, a tournament that the North African country will host alongside Spain and Portugal.
The ranking came just a few days after another list, where Forbes ranked Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi as the most valuable Arab footballer.
The new ranking also recalled that Hakimi is the most valuable player in Morocco's squad, with a value of $93.6 million.
Forbes team rankings included Algeria as the second most valuable team in the world, followed by Egypt, Tunisia, and the UAE. Tags: Africa Football FederationMorocco team
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
an hour ago
- Morocco World
Oussama El Azzouzi Set to Join Auxerre on Loan from Bologna
Moroccan international Oussama El Azzouzi is expected to join AJ Auxerre on loan from Bologna, with the move likely to be confirmed in the coming days. The 24-year-old midfielder will arrive on a season-long loan without an option to buy, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano. El Azzouzi endured a difficult 2024–25 campaign, featuring for just 25 minutes in Serie A due to a serious knee injury. He joined Bologna from Union Saint-Gilloise in 2023 but made only three league appearances during his time in Italy. Capable of playing as a defensive midfielder or centre-back, El Azzouzi was part of Morocco's Olympic squad last summer and has recently broken into the senior national team. His move to Ligue 1 is seen as an opportunity to regain match fitness and secure a place in Walid Regragui's squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted in Morocco from 21 December. Auxerre, who are looking to consolidate their place in Ligue 1, have been active in the transfer market and view El Azzouzi as a low-risk, high-reward addition to their midfield and defensive options. While the loan comes without a long-term commitment, it offers the player a chance to relaunch his career ahead of a busy international calendar that also includes qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Morocco World
6 hours ago
- Morocco World
VAR Scandal Overshadows WAFCON 2024 Final as Morocco Questions Officiating
Rabat — In a dramatic 3–2 comeback that secured Nigeria the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations title, officiating decisions — particularly those involving video assistant referee (VAR) — have left Moroccan fans, players, and critics questioning the fairness of the match. The first controversial moment came in the 63rd minute when Nigeria was awarded a penalty. VAR determined that Moroccan defender Nouhaila Benzina handled the ball inside the box, although the ball struck near her body, raising concerns that the call was excessively harsh. Soon after, Nigeria's Esther Okoronkwo calmly converted as Morocco's fans loudly protested. Several minutes later, Morocco appeared poised to restore their two-goal cushion. A handball by Nigeria's Oluwatosin Demehin inside the box initially prompted the referee to award Morocco a penalty. But after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned. Moroccan players and supporters voiced deep frustration over what many describe as a clear handball being dismissed. Referee team and context The match was officiated by Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa, marking the first time a Namibian officiated a WAFCON final. Twanyanyukwa was supported by assistants Alice Umutesi, from Rwanda, and Tabara Mbodji, from Senegal, with the VAR led by Rwanda's Salima Mukansanga — an all-women officiating team hailed by CAF for demonstrating the continent's increasing investment in female officials. Despite the symbolic significance, several decisions turned the tide of the match in Nigeria's favor and left the hosts feeling wronged. Reactions and mounting criticism Local media and fan circles described the overturning of Morocco's penalty as 'scandalous' and 'one of several serious refereeing errors' against the home side. Discussions sparked across social media and football analysis communities. Moroccan sports analysts argued that VAR, meant to ensure fairness, instead fuelled controversy by overruling what they saw as key decisions in the final results of the match. Many believe these actions may have fundamentally altered the outcome of Morocco's bid for a first WAFCON title on home ground. Monsif, a social media football commentator, lamented the referee's call, saying: 'Today, the Moroccan women's national team has faced the greatest injustice.' One fan echoed this sentiment, on social media, saying: 'There is a need to reconsider African refereeing, which spoils all African sporting competitions, or opt for referees from Europe.' From commanding lead to crushing defeat As for the match, Morocco had dominated the first half, with goals from Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy giving them a seemingly solid 2–0 advantage. However, Nigeria responded with urgency after halftime. Following the disputed penalty, they equalized through Ijamilusi and ultimately secured victory with an 88th-minute strike from substitute Jennifer Echegini, set up by Okoronkwo's free-kick. While the Super Falcons celebrated 'Mission X,' critics argue that officiating decisions overshadowed Morocco's confident start and well-deserved performance on home soil. Discussions on CAF corruption reignited The focus on refereeing in the WAFCON 2024 final comes amid growing scrutiny of the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) internal governance. A series of controversies surrounding CAF have previously been reported, from allegations of financial irregularities to accusations of interference and lack of accountability. In 2019, cases involving CAF leadership in which funds have gone unaccounted for. CAF's decision‑making structures have also surfaced, with factors that feed a climate of distrust whenever controversial calls emerge in high‑profile matches. These broader concerns explain why Moroccan fans view the WAFCON final's disputed VAR interventions not just as isolated match errors but as part of a systemic pattern. As CAF continues to face calls for greater transparency, critics argue the organization must go beyond symbolic gestures and appoint independent audit mechanisms, open up financial reporting, and ensure neutrality in officiating assignments. Without structural reforms, even well‑intentioned technological tools like VAR risk deepening frustration rather than delivering fairness. Tags: MorocconigeriarefereeingVARWAFCON 2024
Ya Biladi
17 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
FIFA inaugurates Africa office at Mohammed VI Football Complex in Morocco
The Africa office of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was officially inaugurated on Saturday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, during a ceremony led by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The event was attended by Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe, Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) President Fouzi Lekjaa, and several other dignitaries. «This is a historic moment, a festive and joyful day that will be etched in golden letters in the history of FIFA and African football, in Morocco, and across the world», said Infantino. «I thank His Majesty King Mohammed VI for the momentum he has given to the development of sport across the continent», Infantino said, adding that the royal commitment to football development is «truly unique». He went on to say that the Mohammed VI Complex, now home to the FIFA Africa office, has become a nerve center for African football and a symbol of a country, and a continent, looking toward the future. «What we are inaugurating today is not just a FIFA Africa office. It's a global FIFA center that will have a worldwide impact on the game», Infantino emphasized. The FIFA president also recalled Morocco's upcoming role in major international tournaments, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the next five editions of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the Kingdom will co-host with Spain and Portugal. «The world will come together here in Morocco», he said. He also highlighted the significance of Saturday night's Women's Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Nigeria in Rabat, calling it «a grand celebration» of women's football in both Morocco and Africa, and praised the unmatched passion of Moroccan fans. CAF President Patrice Motsepe welcomed the opening of FIFA's Africa office in Morocco, saying, «There could not be a better place to establish this office». He expressed gratitude to King Mohammed VI for his continued efforts to promote football on the continent, noting that African football is now reaching a global standard. Reflecting on the performance of African teams at the last World Cup in Qatar, particularly Morocco's historic run to the semi-finals, Motsepe said he is convinced that African football is poised to dominate the global stage in the coming years. FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa emphasized that the Mohammed VI Complex, which now houses the FIFA Africa office, was made possible thanks to the enlightened vision of King Mohammed VI. He described the facility as the product of a broader strategy aimed at empowering Moroccan and African youth through sport. «This vision aspires to make Morocco a welcoming hub for talent from around the world», he said. Lekjaa added that the establishment of the office reflects FIFA's deep commitment to African football and the development of all its categories. He also reiterated that Morocco has long been, and will continue to be, a land of tolerance and a crossroads of civilizations. The agreement to establish the FIFA Africa office in Morocco was signed last December in Marrakech, on the sidelines of the 2024 CAF Awards ceremony, by Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa.
