Rabat – Beyond diplomatic ties and trade, France and Morocco have pledged to strengthen sports cooperation.
The two countries confirmed this interest on Friday during the 40th Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sports of the Francophonie, which marked the participation of French Minister of Sports Marie Barsacq.
A statement on the French minister’s visit from the French embassy said that the official met with Morocco’s Minister of Culture Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid to discuss important areas to boost cooperation and bilateral ties between the two countries, particularly in regards to working with youth.
During the visit, the French minister also met with Morocco’s Minister of Education and Sports Saad Berrada, with whom she signed a joint declaration of intent regarding cooperation in the field of sports.
The agreement covers international sporting events, high-level and elite sports performance, e-sports, as well as training.
“I welcome the signing of this cooperation in the field of sports, which formalizes the growing cooperation between France and Morocco on the topic,” she said, asserting the need to continue “this privileged partnership” between the two countries that focuses on empowering youth through sports.
France has long emphasized its commitment to continue to support Morocco in several projects in this area.
France, Morocco Seek to Strengthen Sports Cooperation
In April, the two countries discussed the 2030 World Cup preparatory campaign launched by Morocco, a co-host of the global tournament along with Spain and Portugal.
France’s Minister delegate in charge of Foreign Trade and French citizens abroad, Laurent Saint-Martin, during his visit to Morocco in April, announced the launch of the Franco-Moroccan Committee to support Morocco as hosts of the 2030 World Cup.
Representatives from at least 10 French companies attended to promote French expertise in infrastructure for large international events.
Beyond France, several other countries have also expressed interest in unlocking the opportunities Morocco holds as a co-host of the tournament, including the UK.
Earlier this week, UK Minister of State for Investment Baroness Gustafsson announced that the Department for Business and Trade is “committed to helping UK businesses export to Morocco.”
This effort comes in line with the UK-Morocco Association Agreement the two countries signed in 2019 post-Brexit.
“Bilateral trade was worth £4.2 billion in 2024, up £0.6 billion in current prices from 2023,” the minister stated, stressing the importance of Morocco as a co-host of the World Cup.
She concluded that this is an example of further avenues for growth for UK-Morocco business partnerships at the 2030 FIFA World Cup “where opportunities are emerging for British businesses.”