Morocco secured the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 title on Thursday with a dramatic 3–2 extra‑time win over Jordan in the final at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, marking the nation’s second Arab Cup triumph and capping a remarkable year for Moroccan football.
The match delivered high drama from the outset. Morocco opened the scoring in just the fourth minute when Oussama Tannane produced a stunning long‑range strike from near the centre circle that caught the Jordanian goalkeeper off his line and found the net. Jordan then responded in the second half, with Ali Olwan equalising in the 48th minute and converting a penalty in the 68th minute to put the Nashama ahead.
Down but far from out, Morocco staged a late comeback. With just minutes remaining in regular time, Abderrazak Hamdallah levelled the score at 2–2, sending the contest into extra time. Hamdallah, introduced as a substitute, struck again in the 100th minute to secure the decisive goal and seal Morocco’s 3–2 victory, sparking jubilant celebrations among players and supporters alike.
The Arab Cup, organised by FIFA and contested by member associations of the Union of Arab Football Associations, was revived in 2021 and has quickly become a showcase for top Arab footballing talent. Morocco’s victory comes 13 years after their first Arab Cup title in 2012, reinforcing their standing as one of the region’s elite teams.
Morocco’s success in the Arab Cup final was characterised by tactical resilience and mental strength. The team controlled much of the early phases and weathered Jordan’s second‑half resurgence to deliver under pressure. Jordan, coached by Jamal Sellami, reached their first Arab Cup final unbeaten, demonstrating significant progress, but ultimately fell short despite a spirited performance.
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The final’s outcome also highlighted key moments of fortune and controversy. The match featured a memorable long‑range goal, a pivotal penalty, and a late equaliser that forced extra time, underlining the unpredictable nature of tournament football and Morocco’s capacity to respond under duress.
This victory adds to a string of achievements for Moroccan football in 2025. Earlier in the year, Morocco made history by winning the FIFA Under‑20 World Cup, becoming the first African nation to lift the tournament since Ghana in 2009 after a 2–0 victory over Argentina in the final, with striker Yassir Zabiri scoring both goals.
At youth level, Morocco’s commitment to nurturing talent has also been evident. The nation hosted and won the U‑17 Africa Cup of Nations, showcasing emerging stars and reinforcing the depth of its footballing pipeline. Those youth successes feed into the senior team’s ambition and reflect a broader strategy of long‑term development across age groups.
Morocco’s senior national side has also enjoyed recent high points on the global stage, notably becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the FIFA World Cup semi‑finals in 2022, a run that captivated supporters worldwide and elevated the country’s football profile.
The Arab Cup win is set to fuel confidence ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which Morocco is hosting from December 21 to January 18. The tournament presents another opportunity for Morocco to assert itself as a continental powerhouse, backed by a passionate home fanbase and renewed belief following the Arab Cup triumph.
Morocco’s national team coach and federation officials have praised the squad’s resilience and tactical discipline throughout the Arab Cup campaign, noting that the victory reflects both individual quality and collective cohesion. The achievement has earned admiration across the Arab world and beyond, with congratulatory messages from leaders and footballing figures celebrating the Atlas Lions’ success.
In a year of unprecedented accomplishments spanning youth and senior competitions, Morocco’s Arab Cup victory stands as a testament to the nation’s footballing progress and rising stature on the regional and global stage.
