His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan presided, on Sunday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, over the opening ceremony of the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON–Morocco 2025), which the Kingdom is hosting until January 18.
The opening ceremony of AFCON–Morocco 2025 unfolded in a solemn and festive atmosphere under the presidency of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, marking a defining moment for African football and reaffirming Morocco’s central role on the continental sporting stage. Held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, the event officially launched the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by the Kingdom until January 18.
Upon his arrival, HRH the Crown Prince reviewed a section of the Royal Guard rendering military honors, before being greeted by senior Moroccan officials and leading figures of international football. Among them were the Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, Mohamed Saâd Berrada; the President of the Moroccan National Olympic Committee, Fayçal Laraichi; FIFA President Gianni Infantino; CAF President Patrice Motsepe; and the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa.
His Royal Highness was also welcomed by regional and local authorities, including the Wali of the Rabat–Salé–Kénitra region, Mohamed Yacoubi, as well as elected officials and technical managers involved in the realization and operation of the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, a flagship sports facility symbolizing Morocco’s ambitious infrastructure strategy.
Joining the Royal Stand, HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan attended an opening ceremony distinguished by its artistic richness and symbolic depth. Through choreography, music and light, the performances paid tribute to African unity, shared identity and the resilience of the continent’s football. The ceremony offered an immersive journey celebrating “Morocco, Land of Football” and Africa as a land of diversity, creativity and collective pride.
Addressing the audience, FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his profound gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, for welcoming the world to Morocco, describing the Kingdom as “a country of football, passion and peace.” He hailed the tournament as a historic gathering uniting Africa and the international football community, and wished success to the 24 participating nations.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe echoed these sentiments, thanking His Majesty the King and HRH the Crown Prince for their unwavering support. He praised the Moroccan people for their deep-rooted love of football and reaffirmed CAF’s commitment to making football a powerful force for unity across Africa, recalling the continent’s remarkable achievements during the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Mr. Motsepe then officially declared the 35th Africa Cup of Nations open.
Following a brief pause in the Royal Lounge, HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan returned to the Royal Stand to attend the tournament’s opening match between Morocco and Comoros. After the national anthems were played, His Royal Highness greeted the players and match officials on the pitch before giving the symbolic kick-off. The evening concluded with a 2–0 victory for the Moroccan national team, setting a promising tone for AFCON–Morocco 2025.
