Morocco's Mohammed VI Football Academy: Nurturing World-Class Talent

Tuesday 23 January 2024 - 10:45

The Mohammed VI Football Academy (AMF) in Sala Al Jadida has firmly established itself as a premier talent incubator for Moroccan football, recognized as a "global benchmark" for youth player development in a recent report by Jeune Afrique.

Opened by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in 2010, the state-of-the-art facility aimed to revolutionize Morocco's approach to nurturing young players. Tarik Elkhazri, AMF's technical manager, highlighted the transformation, stating, "Before 2010, training was average, impacting the national team's performance."

The academy's success was prominently displayed during Morocco's historic journey to the World Cup semifinals in Qatar, where four AMF graduates played crucial roles. Notably, Morocco's U17 team reached the quarterfinals of the U17 World Cup, marking a significant achievement for the academy's emerging talents.

Spread across an expansive 18-hectare campus with six pitches, the AMF boasts world-class facilities and coaching. Its unique approach emphasizes both athletic and academic development, making it a "global benchmark and source of inspiration for several African and European federations," according to Elkhazri.

A decade after its inauguration, the Mohammed VI Football Academy has significantly enhanced Morocco's player development system. As it continues to produce the next generation of stars, the AMF solidifies its status as a world-leading academy, contributing to the elevation of Moroccan football on the global stage.