by Karim Ben Allal
In the world of international politics, sporting tournaments are no longer merely athletic competitions or entertainment events. They have become strategic platforms for showcasing state competence, enhancing credibility, and building symbolic and cultural influence. Morocco’s organization of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 represents a unique model of this smart strategy, through which the Kingdom managed to confront its adversaries not with direct attacks or slogans, but with tangible achievement that renders their narratives implausible.
The core lesson of this experience is clear. An organized state does not need rhetoric to prove its worth. It translates its vision into concrete reality. The most prominent example is the reconstruction of the Moulay Abdellah Stadium, one of the Kingdom’s most important sporting landmarks. This stadium was completely demolished and rebuilt within just a year and a half, by Moroccan engineers and national companies, with one hundred percent local expertise. The result was a stunning sporting masterpiece that reflects not only Morocco’s engineering and technical capabilities, but also stands as a symbol of genuine national pride and a silent statement to the world that the Kingdom is capable of executing massive projects with exceptional efficiency.
Morocco did not limit itself to material achievement alone. It deployed the tournament as an instrument of soft power and strategic influence. The atmosphere infused with Moroccan heritage, including traditional music, popular chants, and traditional attire, added more than aesthetic value. It forged a cultural identity present at the heart of the event. This harmony between sporting performance and cultural expression, combined with professional organization and transparent event management, made every hostile media campaign appear powerless in the face of concrete reality. Morocco did not use the Africa Cup of Nations to attack its opponents, but rather to make their narratives untenable. This represents one of the most intelligent forms of superiority in international politics.
Through this event, Morocco also demonstrated that it is Africa’s true gateway and a model to be emulated on the continent. The professional organization of the tournament reaffirmed the Kingdom’s position as a reliable partner in the development of sports, infrastructure, and joint cooperation with African countries. It strengthened ties between Morocco and its African neighbors, confirming its role as a genuine bridge between Africa and the world. In this sense, this Moroccan success can also be considered a success for Africa as a whole.
As highlighted in the recent Royal Cabinet communiqué, this achievement reflects a unifying national vision. “His Majesty the King expresses his profound thanks to all components of the nation who contributed remarkably to the great success of this distinguished event. His Majesty particularly wishes to congratulate all citizens across the cities of the Kingdom for the efforts made, and to express his gratitude to every individual for their valuable contribution to this historic success, which has received recognition and praise from the entire world.” These words reflect the spirit of national mobilization and collective engagement in ensuring the event’s success, further enhancing the state’s credibility on the global stage.
Moreover, this organization demonstrated that the Kingdom possesses the capacity to manage large scale projects and maintain institutional stability. This provides an implicit indication of its ability to govern its territories and regions efficiently. The royal message also carried a clear signal to those who seek to exploit turmoil. “The Moroccan people know how to distinguish matters and will not accept being drawn into resentment and division.” This reflects the wisdom of the state and its internal stability in the face of attempts at distortion.
Ultimately, while Morocco did not win the title, it won credibility, professionalism, and national pride. Its organizational excellence, intelligent use of soft power, and the establishment of strong ties with African partners together constitute a practical lesson in modern statehood. Morocco has proven that a state governed by institutional logic and tangible achievement is the only one capable of securing lasting superiority, while its adversaries remain trapped in empty slogans and a gang mentality.
In the final analysis, Morocco presents through this experience a comprehensive model of a smart and effective state at both the domestic and international levels. It is a state that knows how to create stability, manage major projects, and deploy sporting achievement as a tool of soft power to consolidate African relations and advance its supreme national interests. The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 was not merely a sporting event, but a clearly defined Moroccan success story that encapsulates the Kingdom’s ability to operate with true state logic and offers a practical lesson to anyone seeking to undermine its credibility or cast doubt upon it.