Morocco - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

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Rabat

Morocco

July 15, 2026

Rabat 9:06 am

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 30: Kylian Mbappe #10 of France celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between France and Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 30, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

France ends Morocco’s World Cup run as last Arab and African team standing

Following the loss, no Arab or African teams remain in the tournament.

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Culture

Egypt, Morocco, Algeria make World Cup history in knockout stage

Alfredo ESTRELLA / AFP via Getty Images

Culture

Morocco upsets Netherlands to reach World Cup round of 16

Morocco's defender #14 Issa Diop (R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between the Netherlands and Morocco at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe on June 29, 2026.

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Morocco's national flag is displayed during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Culture

Morocco to host 2030 World Cup as Saudi Arabia bids for 2034

The announcement follows historic performances by Morocco’s men's and women's squads at their most recent respective World Cups. Saudi Arabia had also sought to host the 2030 tournament following Qatar winning the rights to host in 2022.

Overturned cars lay among other debris caused by flash floods in Derna, eastern Libya, on Sept. 11, 2023.

Over 8,000 dead in Morocco earthquake, Libya floods

The two natural disasters in North Africa occurred within days of one another.

Morocco earthquake

Morocco earthquake damage could wipe out as much as 8% of GDP

The US Geological Survey warns of severe potential economic losses from the Morocco earthquake's "extensive damage."

A resident navigates through the rubble following a 6.8-magnitude quake in Marrakesh on September 9, 2023. A powerful earthquake that shook Morocco late September 8 killed more than 600 people, interior ministry figures showed, sending terrified residents fleeing their homes in the middle of the night. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images)

Morocco earthquake: death toll passes 2,400, historic Marrakesh buildings damaged

Most of the casualties from the massive tremor were in an area south of Marrakesh.

A policeman watches as people cool off in the water at el-Kettani beach in the Bab el-Oued suburb, Algiers, Algeria, Aug. 15, 2020.

Two Moroccan-French tourists killed by Algerian coastguard

The tourists had strayed into Algerian waters. The incident could further inflame longstanding tensions between Morocco and Algeria.

Putin Tebboune

Analysis

Russia pushes North African trade area as Ukraine sanctions bite

Russia's influence across North Africa is varied, but regional countries could benefit from discounted Russian hydrocarbons, grain and fertilizer.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

COLIN MURTY/AFP via Getty Images

Culture

Morocco makes history, advances at Women’s World Cup

The Atlas Lionesses are the first team from the Arab World to play in the soccer tournament.

Valentina Cernoia of Italy competes for the ball with Fatima Gharbi of Morocco during the Women´s International Friendly match between Italy and Morocco at Stadio Paolo Mazza on July 01, 2023 in Ferrara, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Culture

Morocco chases history at FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia

The Moroccan women’s team is the first team from the Arab world to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Their success follows a historic run by the Moroccan men’s team at last year’s World Cup in Qatar.

Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita poses for a photo.

Morocco king invites Israel’s Netanyahu for visit following Western Sahara recognition

Only two days after Israel recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, King Mohammed VI invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a visit.

Israeli and Moroccan flags are pictured during an official ceremony in Israel's Mediterranean coastal city of Tel Aviv, on September 13, 2022. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel recognizes Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara

The move follows the establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel and Morocco in 2020 as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords.

Alstrom train

France’s Alstom to build second rail plant in Morocco

The company has previously made tramway vehicles in Rabat and Casablanca as well as high speed trains that operate between Casablanca and Tangier.

This picture taken on April 18, 2023 shows the Green Hydrogen Plant built by Spanish company Iberdrola in Puertollano.

Analysis

Morocco's agricultural independence to get boost from green ammonia plant

The project by the state-owned company in Tarfaya will help the North African country meet the domestic demand for the compound, which is a crucial ingredient in nitrate fertilizers.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech