Casablanca – Hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has proven to be a significant milestone for Morocco, delivering unprecedented economic, infrastructural, and industrial benefits while providing a rehearsal for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. According to Ryad Mezzour, Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade, the tournament acted as a powerful accelerator of development, producing tangible gains for the economy and society.

Economic performance and job creation

AFCON 2025 contributed to a notable boost in Morocco’s economy. Mezzour reported that the tournament generated nearly 100,000 direct and indirect jobs and increased domestic consumption by an estimated 25–30%. National economic growth in 2025 reached approximately 4.5%, a performance Mezzour attributed partly to the commercial and logistical activity surrounding the tournament.

The financial success of the event was significant. Direct revenues exceeded $1 billion, while investments mobilized for the tournament produced a multiplier effect of 1.82–2, indicating that the initial spending circulated through the economy to create broader benefits. CAF (the Confederation of African Football) described AFCON 2025 as “the most commercially successful edition in African football history,” with revenues related to the competition increasing by more than 90%.

Mezzour noted that these outcomes place AFCON 2025 among the most profitable editions in history, benefiting both the host country and the African football governing body. Beyond immediate financial returns, the tournament helped reinforce Morocco’s reputation as a capable organizer of large-scale international sporting events.

Infrastructure and urban development

One of the most striking aspects of AFCON 2025 was the pace of infrastructure development. Mezzour highlighted that Morocco achieved in just 24 months what would typically require nearly ten years in terms of stadiums, roads, airports, rail networks, urban transport, and healthcare facilities. This rapid development has provided citizens with durable improvements in public services and mobility while enhancing the country’s capacity to host future global events.

Over 3,000 Moroccan industrial companies participated in the construction and service projects linked to the tournament. Their work extended well beyond stadiums, encompassing transport networks, logistics systems, and urban infrastructure, bringing Morocco to international standards in services, organization, and hospitality. Nearly 80% of the sports-related investments made for AFCON 2025 have already been recouped, reflecting the economic robustness of the planning and investment model adopted by the government.

Strategic and social impact

Beyond economics and infrastructure, AFCON 2025 offered significant strategic and social benefits. The tournament provided Morocco with a large-scale rehearsal ahead of the 2030 World Cup, allowing authorities to test logistics, security protocols, and hospitality systems under real-world conditions.

The event also highlighted the role of sports in national identity and youth engagement. While Morocco narrowly lost to Senegal in the final, finishing second, Mezzour emphasized that the organizational success of the tournament remains a source of national pride. He noted the enthusiasm of Moroccan youth, who have shown a growing interest in sports and civic engagement, and stressed that AFCON 2025 demonstrated Morocco’s ability to combine economic planning with social cohesion.

Managing challenges

Mezzour acknowledged incidents during the final match, describing them as a consequence of the passionate nature of football, but insisted that such events did not overshadow the overall success of the competition. The government maintained that the positive impacts—economic growth, job creation, infrastructure development, and international recognition—far outweigh isolated disruptions.

Looking ahead to 2030

AFCON 2025 has set a benchmark for Morocco in preparing for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The investments, planning, and operational experience gained are expected to inform the larger-scale global event, demonstrating Morocco’s ability to meet international standards in sports management, logistics, and security. Mezzour expressed confidence that the lessons learned and infrastructure developed will allow Morocco to replicate and expand on the successes achieved during AFCON 2025.

In summary, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has been more than a football tournament for Morocco. It has acted as a catalyst for economic growth, infrastructure modernization, industrial engagement, and international recognition, positioning the country to host future sporting events of even greater scale with confidence and efficiency.