Morocco successfully hosted the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025). This event proved the Kingdom is a top destination for major sports. It also tested preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup which will be organized together with Spain and Portugal.
The Africa Cup of Nations tournament ended on January 18, 2026. The final took place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Senegal defeated the hosts 1-0 in extra time amid controversy. The event highlighted Morocco's football organization skills and also helped the tourism sector grow.
The event gripped the nation starting December 21, 2025. Stadiums were packed, crowds were passionate. Cities like Rabat, Tangier, and Fez became hubs of African football. AFCON 2025 helped tourism beyond the pitch too. It drew visitors from across the continent and further away. Many fans stayed longer and explored multiple host cities. They discovered Morocco's cultural and natural attractions which helped the whole economy.
Record-Breaking Morocco’s Tourism Figures
Morocco welcomed 19.8 million international tourists in 2025, which was a 14% increase from the previous year. The numbers exceeded all government targets. Tourism revenue topped $13 billion (around 124 billion Moroccan dirhams), which is up 19% year-on-year. The Kingdom secured its place as Africa's top tourist destination ahead of Egypt. Experts credit better infrastructure and more flights. The media attention from AFCON also played a large part.
Achraf Fayda leads the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT). He noted that visitor activity went past match attendance. People stayed longer and moved between host cities. The tournament matched the Tourism Roadmap 2023–2026 and sped up the service upgrades.
Expanded Air Connectivity and Hotel Upgrades
Airlines worked with ONMT to help fans. They launched new routes from European airports before the winter 2025 season. Marrakech and Agadir saw many more flight options which raised the air capacity to Morocco by nearly 30% compared to the prior year.
Morocco also focused on luxury hotels and added more than 43,000 new hotel beds by 2025. Now 53% of hotels are 4- or 5-star quality. The Moroccan Society for Tourism Engineering (SMIT) helped open over 100 hotels that are run by big international and national brands. SMIT also backed more than 1,500 tourism projects which cover nature, food, and culture and expand the offer for the visitors.
Major hotel chains are spending heavily on future events. Radisson plans to open 25 hotels in Morocco by 2030. They will focus on cities like Rabat, Tangier, and Agadir.
A Dress Rehearsal for the 2030 World Cup
AFCON tested operations for the 2030 World Cup. Morocco spent about €1.8 billion (roughly $1.4–1.86 billion) on stadiums, workers built six new venues and fixed three others. The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat is a modern highlight. It hosted key matches. The forthcoming 115,000-seat Stade Hassan II is in Benslimane near Casablanca which should by finished by 2028. It will be one of the largest stadiums in the world.
AFCON used five of Morocco's six planned 2030 World Cup venues. This demonstrated world-class facilities and logistics. The public and private sectors coordinated well. The country can evaluate its systems and prepare for a global event. The ONMT's director agreed and called it a rehearsal for handling large visitor numbers and working with partners.
Reports noted social unrest regarding infrastructure spending. Moreover, the final also had some chaotic elements. These included player protests and a disputed penalty. But the Confederation of African Football (CAF) praised the tournament. They named it the most commercially successful in AFCON history. The event confirmed football as a key tool for Morocco's tourism plans.
The Kingdom targets 26 million tourists by 2030. AFCON 2025 showed that sport creates growth and global attention. It builds economic momentum. Morocco is now a central hub for African football and a rising global tourism leader.
