Morocco will no longer bid to host any African football competition, the president of the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa, has announced — a decision that follows a turbulent Africa Cup of Nations tournament the country hosted earlier this year.

"Starting today, Morocco will no longer submit any bids to host African competitions, regardless of their nature. If other countries wish to organize them, we wish them the best," Lekjaa told Al Jazeera 360 in an interview cited by Morocco World News.

Lekjaa dismissed suggestions that Morocco enjoyed unfair privileges as a host nation, arguing that what critics describe as advantages amounts to nothing more than taking on tournaments that other countries decline to organize.

The AFCON final fallout

The announcement comes roughly six months after what was described as the most successful edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in CAF history — yet one that ended in controversy. The tournament's final, played on January 18 between Morocco and Senegal, was overshadowed by chaotic scenes that unfolded after Senegal's walk-off from the pitch, a move attributed to Pape Thiaw.

The walk-off triggered widespread disorder: Senegalese fans attempted to storm the pitch, and vandalism and hooliganism broke out in and around the venue. Morocco endured what Lekjaa described as a hate campaign in the aftermath of those events.

Security dispute with Senegal

Lekjaa also pushed back firmly against Senegal's criticism of the security arrangements during the tournament. He insisted that the Senegalese federation raised no concerns whatsoever before the final.

"On the contrary, their federation president even said the stadium was world-class, and everything was perfect," Lekjaa said.

He explained that the Senegalese federation had issued a communiqué announcing the time their team would arrive in Rabat, which drew large crowds of supporters to the area. The federation subsequently claimed there was insufficient security to protect the squad — a charge Morocco disputes.

Lekjaa stressed that Morocco's security credentials are well established internationally and require no additional validation. Since the tournament, Morocco has reportedly reinforced protection measures around stadiums and host cities to safeguard both players and supporters.

The FRMF president's declaration marks a significant shift in Morocco's posture toward African football governance, coming just months before the country co-hosts the FIFA World Cup 2026 alongside the United States and Canada.