UEFA to back 48-team Club World Cup, Morocco and Spain reportedly emerge as 2029 favorites

UEFA is ready to support FIFA’s proposal to expand the Club World Cup from 32 to 48 teams starting with the 2029 edition, for which Morocco and Spain are seen as leading candidates to host, The Guardian reported on Wednesday. Citing sources familiar with discussions between the two governing bodies, the British newspaper said UEFA had previously opposed expanding the competition out of concern that it could undermine the Champions League. However, it is now prepared to back the 48-team

Algeria hands over 22 Moroccan migrants in exceptional opening of land border

On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Algerian authorities handed over 22 young Moroccan migrants, including two women, through the Colonel Lotfi–Zouj Bghal border crossing, according to the Moroccan Association for the Assistance of Migrants in Vulnerable Situations. This is the second such handover since the start of the year, following the transfer of 16 young people on December 16, 2025. The migrants come from several cities, including Oujda, Berkane, Taounate, Fez, Ain Beni Mathar,

Casablanca: Autopsy confirms man died after jumping from police HQ window

The King's Prosecutor General at the Casablanca Court of Appeal announced that the results of the autopsy performed on the body of the individual who died after jumping from a fourth-floor window at the headquarters of the National Judicial Police Brigade in Casablanca showed that the multiple injuries sustained by the deceased were consistent with having thrown himself from the window. In a statement, the King's Prosecutor General explained that the autopsy, carried out by a three-member

Europa League: Zakaria El Ouahdi leads Genk to victory in Zagreb

Moroccan international Zakaria El Ouahdi stole the spotlight as Genk secured a 3-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League play-off on Thursday. The full-back’s brace not only sealed the victory but also earned him man-of-the-match honors. Genk started brightly and took the lead in the 15th minute, when Bryan Heynen headed home to set the tone. Just six minutes later, El Ouahdi doubled the advantage. Well positioned inside the box, he reacted quickest to a

Morocco withdraws draft decree law as new press council reform advances

The Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, has announced the withdrawal of draft decree-law 2.26.135. During a press conference on Thursday in Rabat, he confirmed that this proposal was retracted at the request of the overseeing department, with the approval of the head of government. The draft had aimed to establish an administrative commission to oversee the press and publishing sector. The minister explained that the government discussions centered on the

Peace Council: Morocco's commitments to rebuilding Gaza

Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita took part on Thursday in Washington in the inaugural meeting of the Peace Council dedicated to the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, an initiative launched by U.S. President Donald Trump. In his address, the head of Moroccan diplomacy outlined the kingdom’s commitments to stabilizing Gaza, in line with the directives of King Mohammed VI. He announced that Morocco has already made a financial contribution to the reconstruction efforts. Rabat also

PJD calls for urgent meeting to address severe weather impact on Moroccan farmers

The parliamentary group of the PJD has urgently requested a meeting of the Productive Sectors Committee at the House of Representatives. The purpose of this meeting is to address compensation strategies for farmers impacted by the recent severe weather conditions that have struck various regions across Morocco. In a letter to the Committee's president, Abdellah Bouanou, who leads the parliamentary group, emphasized that this request comes in the wake of extraordinary rainfall, locally reaching

Morocco sentences 18 Senegalese fans to between three months and one year in prison

A Moroccan court handed prison sentences ranging from three months to one year, Thursday, to 18 Senegalese fans arrested following disturbances during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in mid-January. They were convicted on charges related to hooliganism, including acts of violence, particularly against law enforcement, vandalism of stadium facilities, throwing projectiles, and attempting to enter the pitch without authorization. Earlier, prosecutors had sought sentences of up to two

Hajj 1448: Morocco to hold pilgrimage lottery from March 2 to 13

The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs has announced that the lottery to determine the final lists of pilgrims for the 1448 Hijri Hajj season will take place from Monday, March 2 to Friday, March 13, 2026. In a statement, the ministry said the draw will be conducted at the level of caïdats and provinces for candidates supervised by the ministry, and at the level of prefectures for those registered through travel agencies. The final list of selected pilgrims will be announced

Suspect dies after window jump during police investigation in Casablanca

According to information from the national security services in Casablanca, the individual who attempted suicide on Wednesday by leaping from a window of an upper-floor office at the National Brigade of Judicial Police headquarters has succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. A security source revealed that the deceased's body is now undergoing a medical examination at the hospital to ascertain the exact cause of death. Concurrently, investigations are ongoing, under the supervision and

Floods: Ksar El Kebir residents cleared to return home starting Thursday

Residents of Ksar El Kebir, previously evacuated due to recent floods and adverse weather, will be allowed to return to their homes starting Thursday, February 19, 2026. The decision follows the completion of field interventions carried out by public authorities and specialized technical services across the city’s neighborhoods and residential areas. In a statement, the Larache provincial authorities said that, after confirming improved conditions and compliance with safety standards,

Marrakech court sentences 48 GenZ 212 protesters to over 106 years in prison

The Marrakech Court of Appeal has sentenced 48 individuals to a combined total of 106 years and six months in prison for their involvement in the GenZ 212 protests of September 2025. The demonstrations were marked by acts of violence, vandalism, and assaults on law enforcement officers. Six defendants received the heaviest sentences, six years in prison each, on charges including criminal association, arson of public buildings, aggravated theft, rebellion, and participation in armed

UAE President and King Mohammed VI exchange Ramadan greetings amid health rumors

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and King Mohammed VI exchanged greetings on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan during a telephone conversation, the Emirati News Agency (WAM) reported on Wednesday. «They prayed to Almighty God to grant their two nations and their brotherly peoples a month filled with blessings and prosperity. They also expressed hope that this blessed month would bring security, stability, and prosperity to the Muslim

Helicopter, drones and sniffer dogs deployed in search for missing girl in Azilal

Search efforts have been underway since Saturday, February 14, to locate Hiba Tigrourden, a young girl who disappeared under unclear circumstances in the commune of Ouaouizeght, Azilal province. Her disappearance has prompted a large-scale mobilization by local authorities. Teams from the Royal Gendarmerie, Auxiliary Forces, and Civil Protection are involved in the operation, supported by specialized diving units. A helicopter, drones, and trained search dogs have also been deployed. Local

Marrakech hosts the fourth edition of the African Book Festival

Under the theme «Imagining Other Possibilities», the fourth edition of the African Book Festival of Marrakech (FLAM) is set to take place from April 23 to 25, 2026, in the ochre city. This year, the spotlight is on «imagination as a force of thought, resistance, and transformation». The organizers emphasize in a press release that «in a world marked by profound crises and rapid changes, FLAM underscores the vital role of art, poetry, and literature in questioning

Man seriously injured after jumping from police headquarters in Casablanca

The National Brigade of Judicial Police has opened a judicial investigation under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor’s office to determine the circumstances surrounding a suicide attempt by a man who was the subject of an ongoing inquiry and sustained serious injuries. According to a security source, preliminary findings and on-site inspections indicate that the individual jumped from a window on an upper floor of the National Brigade’s headquarters in Casablanca

Morocco and Italy sign agreement to support enterprises and economic cooperation

An agreement was recently signed in Rome between the Moroccan Chamber of Commerce in Italy and the Italian Federation of Training and Professional Guidance Bodies, aimed at strengthening cooperation in business support, vocational training, and sustainable development in both countries. The accord, signed by the Chamber’s president, Marouan El Mansoub, and the Federation’s president, Laura Maza, seeks to enhance collaboration in areas such as professional qualification,

Morocco’s Addoha launches 3 billion dirham luxury mixed-use project in Abidjan

Moroccan property billionaire Anas Sefrioui is investing more than 3 billion dirhams in a major mixed-use project in Abidjan, believed to be one of his largest investments to date in Côte d’Ivoire’s economic capital. According to Business Insider Africa, the project, led by Addoha Group, will be developed in Zone 4, a prime commercial and residential district of Abidjan. The land acquisition agreement was signed last week, officially launching the development. The project