Fouzi Lekjaa’s Algeria remarks spark debate ahead of Morocco’s U17 World Cup campaign
Moroccan football federation president Fouzi Lekjaa reignited debate over Morocco’s rivalry with Algeria while addressing the national U17 team before their World Cup departure.
Two days after Morocco’s U20 squad claimed a historic world title in Chile, Lekjaa visited the U17 side to inspire them to emulate their seniors’ success.
His speech, however, quickly drew attention for his indirect reference to Algeria.
“We are no longer Morocco that celebrates qualification. We celebrate victories,” he told the young players, urging them to pursue excellence rather than satisfaction with participation.
Lekjaa’s address, which started as a motivational message, shifted tone when he appeared to mock Algeria’s World Cup celebrations.
“You noticed, a few weeks ago, the national team qualified for the World Cup, and there was nothing. For Moroccans, this is normal and expected,” he remarked.
Observers interpreted the statement as a veiled jab at Algeria’s public celebrations following their qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
The celebrations took place at Tizi Ouzou Stadium after the national team’s match against Uganda. However, Algeria had already secured qualification earlier against Somalia.
The final match at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium was largely seen as a symbolic gesture of appreciation toward fans.
Despite his pointed remarks, Lekjaa’s broader message focused on Morocco’s rising ambitions in world football.
The federation president emphasized that Moroccan teams must aim for consistent victories on the global stage, rather than simple participation.
His comments, however, continued to stir discussions about the sporting and political undertones of Morocco-Algeria relations.
Some analysts noted that Algeria’s celebrations were less about competition and more about fan engagement.
The absence of nationwide jubilation also reflected the new World Cup qualification structure, which eliminated knockout rounds and expanded the number of African teams eligible for the tournament.
Lekjaa’s remarks also reopened debate over Morocco’s senior national team record.
While the country has one more World Cup appearance than Algeria, it has not captured a major international title since winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 1978.
Algeria, in contrast, has lifted the AFCON trophy twice — first in 1990 and again in 2019 — underscoring its success at the continental level. This historical comparison continues to fuel the rivalry between the two North African football powers.
Nevertheless, Lekjaa’s comments reflected Morocco’s growing confidence following a series of strong performances at youth and senior levels.
With the U20 world title fresh in memory, the U17 squad now faces high expectations heading into the World Cup in Qatar.
As Morocco prepares for a challenging tournament against top nations, the focus remains on performance and progress.
Yet, Lekjaa’s Algeria reference has ensured that the regional football rivalry will once again shadow Morocco’s campaign on the world stage.
