Morocco and Spain Strengthen Cooperation in Sports Media Ahead of the 2030 World Cup

In an effort to enhance cultural and media ties between Morocco and Spain, Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, welcomed Spanish Ambassador to Morocco, Enrique Ojeda, to the capital Rabat on Friday. This high-level meeting aimed to explore new avenues of collaboration in the fields of youth, culture, and media, in preparation for the joint organization of the 2030 World Cup by the two neighboring nations, alongside Portugal.

During this cordial exchange, both parties emphasized the strength of the historical and strategic relations between Morocco and Spain, acknowledging the positive momentum generated by the new phase of bilateral relations since the meeting between His Majesty King Mohammed VI and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in April 2022. This initiative led to the adoption of a joint declaration cementing an enhanced partnership between the two countries.

At the heart of the discussions, officials explored ways to further bridge Moroccan and Spanish cultures, with a focus on the crucial role of sports media in promoting a global event like the World Cup. With this in mind, Bensaid and Ojeda agreed to strengthen cooperation and develop a joint work program in the fields of youth, culture, and communication.

Particular attention was given to the issue of female representation in sports media, as well as the need to strengthen ties between Moroccan sports journalists and their Spanish counterparts, to ensure optimal media coverage of the 2030 World Cup. In this regard, the two parties discussed the possibility of an institutional partnership between the Higher Institute of Information and Communication of Morocco and the University of Madrid, focusing on the training of sports journalists and the launch of specialized graduate programs in this field.

Beyond sports and media-related issues, Bensaid and Ojeda addressed other topics of common interest, such as the video game industry, the upcoming International Fair to be held in Rabat in May, and the participation of Spanish companies in this global event. The two parties also discussed cinematic cooperation between the Moroccan and Spanish national film centers, exploring the prospects for Moroccan-Spanish film co-productions.

This meeting reflects the commitment of both countries to strengthen their cultural and media ties in preparation for the hosting of the 2030 World Cup, a major sporting event that will provide an exceptional platform to promote the values of fraternity and exchange between the Moroccan and Spanish peoples.