The XI of the Week: Bourita pushes back Iranian escalation… and Ouahbi steps onto the pitch of the Atlas Lions

Faithful to its weekly meeting with readers, the platform Walaw presents its XI of the week, a reading of the news inspired by the world of football and highlighting public officials and personalities who have marked the past few days in various fields.

The week was marked by firm diplomacy, reassuring economic messages, sustained political activity, and sports news that generated many reactions.

Morocco is asserting its sovereignty on the international stage, consolidating its internal balances, and already sending political signals ahead of the 2026 electoral deadlines. At the same time, the change at the head of the national team surprised part of public opinion.

The complete XI (balanced offensive 4-3-3)

The choice of the 4-3-3 tactical formation this week reflects a phase combining institutional solidity and accelerated political dynamics. The defense protects the country’s sovereignty and stability, the midfield links government action and party mobilization, while the attack illustrates developments in the economic and sporting fields as Morocco gradually prepares for the major deadlines of 2026.

Goalkeeper (first line of defense for stability)

1 – Abdelouafi Laftit
Minister of the Interior

The Minister of the Interior takes the goalkeeper position this week. He is overseeing the launch of the census operation linked to military service, a strategic step aimed at strengthening national preparedness against any threat, internal or external.

He also presented the decree setting the date of the legislative elections for Wednesday, September 23, 2026, for the House of Representatives. The electoral campaign will take place from September 10 to 22. Abdelouafi Laftit is personally monitoring preparations to ensure the smooth conduct and transparency of this major political event.

Defensive line (sovereignty and diplomacy)

2 – Nasser Bourita – the head of the defense
Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates

Nasser Bourita emerges as the pillar of diplomatic defense this week. He expressed firm condemnation of the Iranian missile attack targeting brotherly Arab countries. At the same time, he continued diplomatic exchanges with Finland and Belgium, two countries that support the Moroccan autonomy initiative under the sovereignty of the Kingdom. Activity that strengthens Morocco’s position on the international stage.

3 – Leila Benali
Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development

In a context marked by tensions in the Middle East and fluctuations in energy markets, Leila Benali stands out through close monitoring of the situation of national fuel stocks.

The minister reassured public opinion by stating that reserves remain at a satisfactory level, comparable to previous years. She also insisted on the permanent monitoring of supply chains to guarantee the stability of the national market.

4 – Ahmed El Bouari
Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests

The minister visited the field in the province of Chtouka Aït Baha to assess damage caused by strong winds on February 26 and 27, which reached 110 km/h and affected nearly 1,500 hectares of crops and trees.

Ahmed El Bouari also reassured consumers regarding certain local dairy products, confirming that their components are authorized and pose no health risk after rumors circulated.

Immediate support measures were announced for affected farmers, illustrating the minister’s willingness to act as close as possible to realities on the ground.

5 – Mohamed Chouki
President of the National Rally of Independents

The president of the RNI launched the initiative “Massar Al Moustakbal,” presented as a strategic roadmap for the party. This initiative is accompanied by a series of communication meetings organized notably in the regions of Beni Mellal-Khénifra and Marrakech-Safi.

This partisan dynamic is part of the momentum initiated by Aziz Akhannouch and aims to actively prepare for the upcoming electoral deadlines.

Midfield

6 – Mustapha Baitas – the electoral striker
Government spokesperson and member of the political bureau of the RNI

Mustapha Baitas officially announced his candidacy for the legislative elections of September 23, 2026, in the constituency of Sidi Ifni. He said he intends to present his record and commitments directly to citizens.

During meetings held in several municipalities of the province, notably Ibdar and Id Haffer, in the presence of party president Mohamed Chouki and other officials, he reaffirmed his attachment to the region and the confidence of party activists.

8 – Aziz Akhannouch – conductor of government action
Head of Government

Aziz Akhannouch chaired the Government Council on March 5, 2026, during which the draft decree officially setting the date of the next legislative elections for Wednesday, September 23, 2026, was adopted, with an electoral campaign scheduled from September 10 to 22.

This decision marks an important organizational step in preparing for this national deadline.

10 – Mohamed Ouahbi
Head coach of the national team

Mohamed Ouahbi enters the XI of the week as playmaker. Recently appointed at the head of the national team, he inherits a particularly demanding mission just months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, whose kickoff is scheduled for June 11.

After winning the world title with the U20 team in 2025 in Chile, he arrives with strong credibility but also under heavy pressure: little time to prepare the team, high expectations from the public, and quick tests through friendly matches.

Forward line

7 – Nadia Fettah Alaoui
Minister of Economy and Finance

The minister spoke this week in several French media outlets, including BFM Business on March 4 and Radio France Internationale on March 5, 2026.

She highlighted the resilience of the Moroccan economy despite international geopolitical tensions, particularly developments related to Iran and tensions in the Middle East.

Nadia Fettah Alaoui emphasized that Morocco has comfortable foreign exchange reserves and continues its energy transition, with 42% renewable energy in its energy mix and a target of 52% by 2030. She also recalled the existence of social protection mechanisms capable of cushioning economic shocks.

The minister finally stressed the continued confidence of foreign investors in Morocco thanks to its political stability, infrastructure, and the quality of its human capital.

9 – Fouzi Lekjaa
President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation

Fouzi Lekjaa stated that Morocco now chooses to rely on national expertise in technical management. According to him, the success of Moroccan football is based on a long-term institutional vision.

While praising the achievements of Walid Regragui, he emphasized that the future of Moroccan football rests on structured and sustainable organization.

11 – Abdessamad Kayouh
Minister of Transport and Logistics

The minister stands out this week for the role played by his department in managing damage caused by bad weather. Ministry services are monitoring repair work on roads damaged by flooding and heavy rainfall, notably through regional directorates.

Several repair contracts have been launched, three roads out of eight have already been reopened, and efforts continue to reconnect rural areas and restore traffic as quickly as possible.

New entrants of the week

Leila Benali: she establishes herself in the energy defense with reassuring statements about the state of national reserves.

Mohamed Ouahbi: first appearance in the XI as national team coach following his appointment on March 5, 2026.

Returns this week

• Ahmed El Bouari: marked return with active presence on the ground in Chtouka Aït Baha.
• Mohamed Chouki: continuation of party momentum with the “Massar Al Moustakbal” initiative.
• Mustapha Baitas: continued political presence in public debate, with a transition toward a more assertive electoral role on the ground.
• Nadia Fettah Alaoui: return to the international media scene to defend the strength of the Moroccan economy.
• Fouzi Lekjaa: constant presence in the governance of national football.
• Abdessamad Kayouh: active role in monitoring roads damaged by floods in the Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma region.

Continuity of performance

Abdelouafi Laftit confirms his position as goalkeeper of institutional stability, with two major issues this week: the military census and preparations for the September 23, 2026 elections.

Nasser Bourita continues his role as a pillar of Moroccan diplomacy, notably through his condemnation of the Iranian attack and exchanges with several European partners.

Aziz Akhannouch, for his part, ensures the continuity of government action by officially setting the date of the next legislative elections.

The XI of this week appears more offensive, both politically, diplomatically, and in sports.

Morocco seems to be gradually entering a phase of political acceleration ahead of the 2026 deadlines.

The ball is starting to circulate… and the field is opening to all actors. But, as in any match, victory will belong to those who maintain consistency in action and regularity in performance.

To consult the XI of the previous week (February 22–28, 2026):https://en.walaw.press/article/GQPMFXPMSSQM