Chemsdine Talbi on Morocco «It's a dream to play the World Cup»

Moroccan international Chemsdine Talbi reflected on his decision to represent the Atlas Lions in an interview with The National published just days before the start of the 2026 World Cup. The 21-year-old Sunderland winger, who previously represented Belgium at youth level, said choosing between the two countries was not easy. «At one moment I had to choose between Belgium or Morocco for the first team. Both were asking me which one I would choose. I had to reflect a long time to think

Spanish soldier jailed for abandoning Melilla post and staying in Morocco

Spain’s Supreme Court has convicted a soldier in the Spanish Army and sentenced him to two prison terms of ten months each after he abandoned both his authorized place of residence and his military post for more than a year, spending the period in Morocco without permission or oversight from his superiors. The court’s Military Chamber also dismissed his appeal and ordered his suspension from military service, along with a ban on holding public office or standing for

Morocco arrests Deroua drug trafficker wanted on 84 warrants

The Royal Gendarmerie in Deroua arrested a well-known suspect on Saturday on charges of trafficking alcoholic beverages and the drug known as «pouffa», as well as involvement in several violent robberies. The man was the subject of more than 84 nationwide arrest warrants and had been wanted in connection with numerous cases spanning several years, during which he allegedly remained active. According to the daily Assabah, officers seized an SUV, bladed weapons, a large quantity of

Rabid dog illegally brought from Morocco triggers major health alert in Italy

A dog illegally brought to Italy from Morocco tested positive for rabies after developing severe neurological symptoms, prompting a major public health operation in the municipality of Vittorio Veneto, in the northeast of Italy. According to local health authorities, the mixed-breed dog was taken to a veterinary clinic on May 27 after showing symptoms consistent with rabies. Investigations later revealed that the animal had been illegally brought from Morocco several months earlier by a

Polisario excluded from South Korea-African Union talks in Seoul

Seoul is hosting a ministerial meeting of the South Korea–African Union partnership on June 1 and 2. The gathering is intended to review progress made since the first Africa–South Korea summit, held in the South Korean capital in June 2024. At that summit, Seoul announced major financial commitments to support Africa’s development between 2024 and 2030, as well as measures aimed at facilitating African exports’ access to the Korean market. As was the case at the 2024

Sahara: Phosphate exports reach their highest level since 2014

Despite Polisario campaigns, Morocco’s phosphate exports from the Sahara reached their highest level in more than a decade in 2025, according to a WSRW report. India remains the leading importer, ahead of Mexico, despite the latter’s traditional support for the Front.

Diaspo #443: Lahcen Boumakhtaf, the Moroccan giving migrants a voice in Spain

From Kenitra to Spain, Lahcen Boumakhtaf turned his own migration journey into a lifelong commitment to defending Moroccans abroad and vulnerable migrants. Through activism, mediation and “parallel diplomacy,” he has become one of the voices working to transform individual struggles into collective strength.

Panama aims to be Morocco of 2026 World Cup

Panama national team coach Thomas Christiansen said he dreams of achieving something significant at the 2026 World Cup, stressing that his team is not heading to the tournament merely to take part, but aspires to become “the Morocco of this World Cup” and emerge as one of its surprise stories. He added that Panama will enter the competition with major ambitions and a desire to compete against the world’s strongest teams, drawing inspiration from Morocco’s historic run

Morocco cucumber exports to Germany hit new record

Morocco’s cucumber exports to Germany continue to set new records, with the 2025/2026 season already surpassing last season’s peak, according to EastFruit. Germany imported 3,900 tons of Moroccan cucumbers between July 2025 and March 2026, worth more than €8 million. This represents a 10% increase compared with the previous season and a 28-fold rise compared with the 2021/2022 season. German importers now rely on Moroccan cucumbers year-round, with demand peaking between

Tribal land dispute delays burial of woman in Errachidia

A dispute between two tribes in the Errachidia province escalated into tensions that disrupted the burial ceremony of a woman, sparking widespread debate on social media. The crisis ended after local authorities intervened and mediated between the elders of the two tribes.