Algerians welcome in Morocco for WAFCON, says Moroccan federation president
- Omna Taddele
- Jul 8
- 2 min read
Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) president Faouzi Lekjaâ noted that Algerians are welcome in Morocco for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The WAFCON is being hosted by Morocco, with Algeria among the participants.
The political standoff between the two countries is reflected in football. The Algerian government's support for the Polisario Front, a liberation movement seeking to end the occupation of Western Sahara, has created tension with Morocco. Football games between the two nations have often been marked by tension.
Lekjaâ told L’Équipe that Algerians are welcome in the country despite the ongoing tensions. "His Majesty the King reiterated that we have always been a country that welcomes Algerians. On Moroccan territory, there are Algerian families who live here and know the quality of this cohabitation. The Algerian team, supporters coming from Algeria, or from all corners of the world, will be welcomed in a country that has always given them a warm reception."
Algeria kicked off their WAFCON campaign with a 1–0 win over Botswana, although few fans attended the game. The 2024 CAF Confederation Cup semi-final between USM Alger and RS Berkane was controversial as RSB qualified for the final without trouble due to a first leg walkover.
RS Berkane wore a jersey featuring a map of Morocco that included all parts of Western Sahara, which they had previously been prohibited from wearing before the match kicked off in Algiers. In the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament, the Moroccan national team was denied permission to fly directly to Algiers and was therefore forced to withdraw from the competition.
