King Mohammed VI of Morocco has praised the successful hosting of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), describing the tournament as a defining moment for Morocco and a shared victory for the African continent.
In a statement released on Thursday by the Royal Cabinet following the conclusion of the tournament, held from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026, the monarch said Morocco was proud to have hosted a month-long celebration of football that brought joy, unity and global attention to Africa.
He noted that AFCON 2025 went beyond sporting achievements, serving as a showcase of Morocco’s progress and development driven by a long-term national vision focused on citizens.
“This edition of the continental competition will stand as a milestone, not only for its sporting success but as a measure of the kingdom’s advancement on the path of development and progress,” the king said.
The monarch expressed appreciation to institutions, volunteers and citizens whose collective efforts ensured the smooth organisation of the tournament. He also commended Moroccan football fans for their enthusiastic and exemplary support of the national team, now ranked eighth globally.
King Mohammed VI attributed the national team’s strong performance to sustained investment in sports development and infrastructure, while applauding players from the Moroccan diaspora who chose to represent the country with pride.
Addressing incidents that occurred during the closing moments of the final match between Morocco and Senegal, the king acknowledged the unfortunate nature of the events but called for calm, unity and inter-African solidarity.
He stressed that Morocco’s success in hosting AFCON 2025 was also a success for Africa as a whole, dismissing any attempts to undermine the achievement.
Reaffirming Morocco’s African identity, the monarch said the country would remain committed to brotherhood, solidarity and mutual respect, while continuing to work toward a united and prosperous Africa through stronger partnerships and shared expertise.