Surge in Moroccan football academies following World Cup success

The post-World Cup football boom has seen a notable increase in the number of private football academies, particularly in major cities like Casablanca and its suburbs.

These institutions cater to children and adolescents, offering football training programs with annual fees ranging from 2,400 to 10,000 Moroccan dirhams per child.

This trend has attracted many investors who see private football academies as lucrative ventures.

The substantial demand for football training among Moroccan families, inspired by the national team’s international success, has made these academies profitable enterprises.

However, the rapid proliferation of football academies has raised concerns about the quality of training provided.

Many of these institutions lack qualified personnel and structured training programs.

Instead, some rely on the experience of former players who have banded together to form their own clubs and academies.

Moreover, there are significant issues regarding financial transparency and employment practices within these academies. A large number of these schools do not report their revenues to the tax authorities despite generating millions.

Additionally, they often employ individuals as “coaches” without proper certification or formal employment contracts, with only a few exceptions.