Morocco’s AFCON hosting excellence overshadowed by media gaps

08:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco’s AFCON hosting excellence overshadowed by media gaps

In the camera era, football success is measured beyond goals. It is shaped by images, narratives, and global perception. Morocco delivered a landmark African Cup of Nations with FIFA-grade stadiums, smooth logistics, and hospitality praised by thousands of international journalists. At least 3,800 media outlets and television channels were accredited for CAN 2025 coverage, highlighting exceptional global interest.

Attendance reached about 1.34 million fans across 52 matches in nine venues, averaging nearly 26,000 per game, surpassing Côte d’Ivoire’s 1.1 million in the last edition, and underscoring rising engagement.

These figures were driven by Morocco’s proximity to European markets, its modern infrastructure, and the momentum of hosting the upcoming 2030 World Cup. A $1.4 billion investment in facilities signaled Morocco’s ability to stage world-class events. Yet this operational success was not matched by an equally strong media narrative from local outlets.

Global networks dominate the narrative

International networks such as beIN Sports and Canal Plus transformed match coverage into cultural showcases that highlighted host identity and expanded soft power worldwide. Moroccan media tended to emphasize match action, while foreign outlets focused on dramatized moments such as Senegal’s final match penalty protest and refereeing controversies involving the Atlas Lions.

The tournament became the most digitally viewed edition in AFCON history, generating about 6 billion digital views across social platforms and recording 285 million user engagements, showing how much global reach the event had.

At the same time, CAF reported a more than 90 percent increase in competition revenues compared to the last edition, driven by expanded media rights distribution and an enlarged sponsor portfolio that grew to 23 partners.

These numbers show missed opportunities for domestic media to build and export a compelling Moroccan narrative, including cultural context and heritage.

Analyst perspectives: praise meets missed chances

“Organizational excellence and fan experience strengthen Morocco’s credibility with FIFA and UEFA,” said experts in African football governance, pointing to geographic advantages that helped real global impact. International audiences in France alone reached millions for the final, with broadcasters like M6 reporting about 3.4 million viewers.

Moroccan coaching and tactical flexibility won praise from analysts, noting adaptability and technical depth. Still, without robust multilingual platforms, high-profile local pundits with international reach, and structured diaspora engagement, many domestic achievements stayed within national media boundaries rather than entering broader global discourse.

Future strategy: matching infrastructure with storytelling power

Future success requires narrative infrastructure to rival Morocco’s physical achievements. This includes dedicated 4K sports channels, premium production teams, regular engagement with international football figures, trilingual elite analysts, global correspondents, and digital platforms that fully tell Morocco’s story.

Just as stadiums such as Ibn Battuta and Adrar were modernized, equal investment is needed in a “global Moroccan microphone” capable of turning digital engagement into lasting reputation. The tournament’s 6 billion digital views show the scale of global interest that a stronger narrative could harness. Modern championships are won across screens and headlines, in the space where facts and opinions shape international reputations.