The Royal Academy is the driving force of Moroccan football.
The prestigious Spanish newspaper "El País" wrote on Saturday, June 6, that the Mohammed VI Football Academy has today established itself as a "real laboratory for talent and a catalyst" for the historic successes of Moroccan football.
The newspaper highlighted, in a report dedicated to this pioneering institution, that the academy, which was established under the visionary outlook of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, has become a fundamental pillar for the development of national football and a key lever for its prominence on the international stage.
This dynamism was particularly evident through the historic victory of the Atlas Cubs in the Under-20 World Cup in October 2025.
"El País" quoted the academy's recruitment officer, Tarek Khazri, stating that this project was born from a strategic royal vision, emphasizing the mobilization of all stakeholders involved to make this institution a reference point at both the African and international levels.
The newspaper added that the academy was designed from the outset to be more than just a training center, as it aims to sustainably elevate the level of Moroccan football starting from its grassroots. This strategy is now yielding tangible results, with the 2030 World Cup approaching, which Morocco will host jointly with Spain and Portugal.
The newspaper reminded that the effectiveness of this model was clearly demonstrated during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when Morocco became the first African country to reach the semi-finals. Four players from the academy's graduates, namely Azzedine Ounahi, Nayef Aguerd, Youssef En-Nesyri, and Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, contributed to this historic achievement.
According to "El País," this dynamism was confirmed by the world title won by the Moroccan Under-20 team against Argentina (2-0), in a final that featured several academy graduates, including striker Zahir Zbiri, who currently plays for Stade Rennais in France.