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In September 2025, Rayyane El Mazouari, a 22-year-old student from Casablanca, founded an organization that's part of the national network of the Federation of Moroccan Youth Associations in France (AJMF). This initiative aims to unite Montpellier’s sizeable Moroccan youth community, providing spaces for connection beyond just sports. «Our goal is to elevate the profile of the Kingdom of Morocco in Montpellier, promote Moroccan culture, and support students in the city,» explains its president.
«When I came to Montpellier, I noticed a significant Moroccan presence but no real structure to bring these youths together,» Rayyane El Mazouari says. In response, he launched the AJMM to create networking spaces for Moroccans, Franco-Moroccans, and friends of Morocco in the region.
«We are meeting a need»
The concept of hosting live screenings wasn’t new; it began months before with the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. «We drew attendees from Montpellier, Avignon, Nîmes, and even Nice. That success showed us we were addressing a real need among young Moroccans in France,» Rayyane notes.
Building on that momentum, and despite the hurdles presented by time differences, the association decided to repeat the initiative for the World Cup. «The match timings posed challenges. We had to negotiate with our partners to make it happen,» he explains.
This effort is part of a broader movement led by the AJMF. According to their statement, similar gatherings are held in several French cities: Toulouse, Paris, Marseille, Montpellier, Grenoble, Strasbourg, Lille, Rennes, and Dijon. The aim is to allow the Moroccan community to watch Atlas Lions’ matches together during the competition.
The success of the initial event quickly dispelled any doubts, with over 200 people assembling in Montpellier to watch the match against Brazil. «We had Moroccans born in Morocco, Moroccans living abroad, French people, and even Brazilians,» the organizer emphasizes, noting the diversity of attendees.
More than just football
For the association, these gatherings transcend sports. «These events are about more than that, highlighting Moroccan hospitality,» says Rayyane El Mazouari.
Through this initiative, the organizers aim to foster a positive image of Morocco and create inclusive spaces for young people from diverse backgrounds. «We want to host unifying events that reflect the best of our community,» he adds.
This ambition aligns with the AJMF’s national vision. As stated for the World Cup, the federation aims to «allow the Moroccan community in France to experience these historic moments of sporting passion and national pride.»
For the young president based in Montpellier, the enthusiasm generated by the Atlas Lions also underscores the strong connection the diaspora maintains with their homeland. «We must remember that the Moroccan diaspora is an integral part of the Kingdom of Morocco,» Rayyane emphasizes.
According to him, this is just the beginning. «When you see a packed room for these events, it reveals how deeply young Moroccans in France are connected to Morocco,» Rayyane tells us. He concludes: «We’re young and ambitious, and this is only the beginning…»
