Broken Sporting Promises: Akhannouch Points the Finger at Lekjaa

Morocco's head of government, Aziz Akhannouch, went after Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, during an election campaign rally in Mediouna on September 10, 2026, amid the run-up to the country's legislative elections. He accused him of a string of unfulfilled sporting promises concerning the national team.

What Akhannouch said

Speaking with a sarcastic tone in front of the crowd, the Prime Minister listed several past announcements of continental and world titles that never materialized, directly questioning his political rival's handling of Moroccan football.

The unfulfilled promises

• Three separate promises of winning the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, none delivered — Morocco's women's team was in fact beaten in the final of the latest edition.
• A promised men's AFCON title, still out of reach.
• An announced AFCON final appearance that never happened.
• Morocco's exit from the 2026 World Cup, despite high expectations around the Atlas Lions.

The context: campaign season and the Benslimane file

Akhannouch didn't stop at the sporting record — he also cast doubt on Lekjaa's promise to host the 2030 World Cup final at Hassan II Stadium in Benslimane, saying the matter hasn't even been discussed yet with Spain and Portugal, Morocco's co-hosting partners. The remarks come at a sensitive moment, just ahead of a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing, and amid political rivalry between the RNI and PAM parties before the 2026 legislative elections.

Key takeaways

• Akhannouch attacks Lekjaa over unfulfilled sporting promises.
• The list includes the Women's AFCON, men's AFCON, and the 2026 World Cup.
• The comments came during an election rally in Mediouna.
• He also questioned the promise to host the 2030 World Cup final in Benslimane.