Algerian fans face steep costs and hurdles to cheer Fennecs at AFCON 2025 in Morocco

Algerian fans face a costly and complicated journey to support the Fennecs at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, as political tensions between Algiers and Rabat continue to affect travel logistics.

The closure of Algerian airspace to Moroccan flights since September 2021 has eliminated direct connections, forcing supporters to rely on indirect routes that significantly inflate travel costs.

A one-way flight from Algiers to Rabat via Tunis, operated by Tunisair, is priced at €563 for December 26. Fans hoping to attend all of Algeria’s matches during a stay from December 23 to January 1 face expenses ranging from €650 to €1,460—well above Algeria’s official foreign currency allowance for travelers, which is capped at €750.

Adding to the challenges, the Bank of Algeria has recently tightened rules governing access to the currency allowance.

A directive issued on December 16 requires that all payments be made electronically, bans cash transactions, and mandates a bank account to receive the allocation.

Analysts say these measures have driven more Algerians to the parallel currency market, where the euro traded at 279 dinars for buying and 282 for selling on December 17.

Fans also contend with potential scams surrounding Morocco’s new electronic travel authorization system. Introduced in September via the Yalla app, the ETA requires travelers to submit applications digitally.

Algerians previously enjoyed visa-free entry, but the new requirement applies to multiple countries-including Tunisia, Burkina Faso, and Senegal-and is intended to manage cross-border flows rather than target any single nation.

Despite this, some travel agencies in Algeria have attempted to profit from confusion by charging inflated fees to “assist” with e-visa applications.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Morocco’s local organizing committee have repeatedly clarified that the electronic travel authorization is entirely free, urging fans to follow official channels to avoid scams.

With the AFCON set to kick off on December 21, Algerian supporters must navigate political, financial, and bureaucratic hurdles just to reach Morocco.