His Majesty King Mohammed VI expressed his gratitude to the Moroccan people for the historic success of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations, which was hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. He affirmed that this achievement is the result of a nationwide mobilization and collective commitment that reflects an organized, ambitious, and hospitable Morocco.
In a statement issued by the royal office, the King extended his heartfelt thanks to all segments of the nation, praising the efforts made by citizens across various cities, as well as all stakeholders who contributed, each in their own capacity, to the success of this continental event, which received widespread acclaim and international recognition.
The King specifically congratulated the millions of Moroccans—women, men, and children—who supported the national team with a high spirit of patriotism and exemplary civility, emphasizing that the Moroccan team’s ranking as the eighth in the world is a testament to an ambitious sports policy and strategic investments in infrastructure, along with the conscious choice of Moroccan expatriates to proudly defend the national jersey.
The statement noted that this edition will remain a significant milestone in the history of African competition, not only from a sporting perspective but also as an occasion that highlighted the developmental leap Morocco has achieved thanks to a long-term vision and a developmental model that prioritizes citizens.
Commenting on the unfortunate incidents that occurred in the closing moments of the final match between Morocco and Senegal, the King stressed that the bonds of African brotherhood will remain stronger than any fleeting emotions. He underscored that Morocco’s success is fundamentally a success for all of Africa and that the Kingdom is proud to have brought a month of popular joy and sporting enthusiasm to the continent, contributing to the global promotion of African football.
Furthermore, His Majesty reiterated his confidence in the awareness of the Moroccan people and their ability to discern, affirming that attempts to defame or undermine credibility will not affect the strength of African relations nor the spirit of cooperation and rapprochement that has been woven by the continent’s peoples over centuries.
The statement concluded by affirming that Morocco will remain a committed African nation, true to the values of brotherhood, solidarity, and respect, and will continue, under the wise vision of His Majesty the King, its steadfast commitment to a unified and prosperous Africa through the sharing of its experiences, knowledge, and skills for the sake of mutual development.
