Morocco defied all expectations when staging the 2022 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, finishing runners-up to South Africa, the only side to beat them, 2-1 in the final. Their reward was debut qualification for the FIFA Women's World Cup™.

The hosts also surprised many off the pitch with the passion and fervour of the fans following the competition. The Moroccan Football Association (FRMF) has invested heavily in the women’s game in recent years and its efforts have not been in vain, a feat made even more impressive by the challenging backdrop of the pandemic.

“It’s been an especially dramatic time for everyone,” said FRMF Secretary General Tarik Najem. “Our goal was to get the league up and running again as quickly as possible after lockdown. And we managed to do it, not just in women’s football but across all categories. “We did it all in coordination with our country’s public health authorities, who brought in a series of measures,” he added. “It took a big effort in terms of funding, and we called on FIFA for their help.”