Morocco seeks FIFA extension to complete 2025/26 Botola Pro 1 season

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has formally approached FIFA to request an extension for the 2025/26 Botola Pro 1 season, as it seeks to align with the global football calendar ahead of the upcoming World Cup.

According to reports from Moroccan outlet Al-Ahdath Al-Maghribia, the federation aims to push the league’s conclusion beyond the June 15 deadline set by FIFA.

The move is intended to ensure adequate preparation time for the national team before the World Cup finals, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico in June and July.

The domestic schedule has faced significant disruption this season. The participation of Morocco’s reserve national team in the Arab Cup, alongside the country’s hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations, led to multiple interruptions in the league calendar. These challenges were further compounded by fixture delays involving clubs such as Wydad Athletic Club, Renaissance Berkane, Royal Army Club, and Union Touarga.

Raja Athletic Club also played a role in the scheduling complications after requesting the enforcement of rules, delaying the 16th round until outstanding matches were completed.

An official source confirmed that the federation has proposed extending the season into the first week of June to allow the championship to be concluded properly. In response, the Professional Football League has begun reorganising the schedule, with postponed fixtures set to resume from next Wednesday, starting with the 11th round.

The 12th and 13th rounds are scheduled for March 29 and April 1, respectively, before the competition returns to the 16th round in early April.

At the top of the table, Raja Casablanca currently leads the standings with 30 points, holding a narrow one-point advantage over Wydad Casablanca, who still have three outstanding matches to play.