Women's Football in Morocco: A Transformative Journey
In recent years, women's football in Morocco has transitioned from a marginal and underappreciated discipline to a burgeoning sport capturing the hearts of many across the nation. With stadiums increasingly filled with enthusiastic fans, young girls now regard football as a viable path toward a professional career. This shift is exemplified by Ghizlane Chebbak, the 2025 African Ballon d'Or winner and captain of the Moroccan national team, who shared insights during an interview with EFE about the evolution and growing popularity of women's football in Morocco.
Chebbak emphasizes the unwavering support from the Moroccan people, noting, "The Moroccan people are passionate about football; they always back us and stand by our side. During the last two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco, we witnessed an overwhelming turnout of fans, with attendance figures that allowed us to make history." Such incredible support from the public demonstrates the remarkable strides that women's football has made in garnering a loyal following.
Despite arriving at professional status later than countries such as South Africa or Nigeria, where women's leagues were established earlier, the 'Atlas Lions' have achieved significant milestones. The national team finished as runners-up in the last two editions of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations and made history in 2023 by becoming the first Moroccan women's team to compete in a World Cup, advancing to the Round of 16 after successfully navigating the group stage in their debut.
The Future of Women's Football in Morocco
Chebbak believes that the future of women's football in Morocco is bright, especially with the progress being made by local clubs like AS FAR Rabat, which has quickly established itself as a prominent force in African football, reaching continental finals. Moreover, she highlights the support provided by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) in creating conditions that are comparable to those in men's football.
"Women's football in Morocco has undergone tremendous evolution. The results achieved by our national teams illustrate that all the hard work over the years is beginning to pay off," Chebbak remarks, reflecting on the positive trajectory of the sport. At 35 years old, she currently trains with 30 teammates under Spanish coach Jorge Vilda in preparation for the upcoming Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, which will be held in Morocco from July 25 to August 16. During this training camp, the players enjoy a supportive and collaborative environment as they set their sights on claiming the title and qualifying for the 2027 World Cup.
As one of Morocco’s most influential footballers, Chebbak has been pivotal in the rise of women's football in the nation. The daughter of former Moroccan international Larbi Chebbak, she has led the Atlas Lions through some of the most crucial moments in their recent history. Throughout her career, she has amassed numerous titles with AS FAR Rabat and, following a brief stint in Spain with Levante Badalona, she currently plays for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
Chebbak is optimistic about the future of women's football in Morocco, believing that any girl can aspire to make a career in this sport without feeling that such a dream is out of reach. "Nowadays, it's no longer difficult for a girl to play football. Conditions have improved significantly, and there are now academies and women's teams in major clubs," she asserts. "The most important thing is for young girls to persevere, work hard, believe in themselves, and trust in their abilities to turn their dreams into reality," she concludes.
As reported by holanews.com.
