Morocco has inaugurated the African Police Cooperation Center in Sale, a first-of-its-kind facility on the continent aimed at strengthening security coordination for major sporting events, as preparations accelerate to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The centre is designed to serve as a platform for leadership, coordination and the real-time exchange of security information, reflecting Morocco’s ambition to set new standards for the protection of large-scale sports tournaments in Africa.
Its launch comes less than a year before Morocco hosts AFCON 2025, a flagship tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of supporters and millions of television viewers from across the continent and beyond.
Moroccan authorities said the centre is the result of close national coordination between the interior and foreign ministries, the General Directorate of National Security, the Royal Gendarmerie and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. It also reflects growing international cooperation on sports security, particularly with the International Criminal Police Organization through its “Stadia” project, which focuses on securing major sporting events worldwide.
The facility brings together senior representatives of Morocco’s security services alongside liaison officers from the 23 countries that have qualified for AFCON 2025. Officials said this structure will allow for faster information flows and closer coordination before and during the tournament, reducing risks linked to crowd management, organised crime and potential security threats.
Mobile teams of so-called “spotters” specialised officers who monitor supporter behaviour will also be deployed. These teams will work in direct coordination with Moroccan authorities to accompany and oversee supporters of their respective national teams in stadiums and host cities, a model increasingly used at high-profile international tournaments.
Representatives from CAF and football’s world governing body, the International Federation of Association Football, are also participating in the initiative. Officials from Spain and Portugal are involved as well, within the framework of trilateral preparations for the 2030 World Cup, which the three countries are set to co-host.
According to Moroccan officials, the centre’s core missions include facilitating real-time operational information sharing, supporting risk assessments linked to crowd movements, coordinating preventive measures and on-the-ground interventions, and providing strategic guidance to local security forces.
Beyond operational objectives, the centre also aims to promote a shared security culture rooted in sporting values, fair play and respect for diversity principles that organisers say are essential to ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for fans.
A key pillar of the centre’s work will focus on digital intelligence and heightened vigilance in cyberspace. Authorities said particular attention will be paid to monitoring potential cyber threats, including risks related to terrorism, violent extremism and data breaches that could target ticketing systems, transport networks or stadium infrastructure.
This cyber dimension is being developed in close coordination with Interpol’s cybercrime unit, with the goal of enabling rapid responses to emerging threats and safeguarding both physical venues and digital systems linked to the tournament.
Morocco has invested heavily in recent years in modernising stadiums, transport links and security infrastructure, positioning itself as a reliable host for major continental and global events. Officials say the new centre is intended not only for AFCON 2025 but also as a lasting mechanism that can support future tournaments and international gatherings.
The establishment of the African Police Cooperation Center also aligns with Morocco’s broader strategy of promoting stronger South–South cooperation and consolidating joint security mechanisms with African partners.
By institutionalising cooperation around sports security, Rabat is seeking to position itself as a regional hub for coordination and expertise, at a time when Africa is hosting an increasing number of high-profile events and facing complex, cross-border security challenges.
As the countdown to AFCON 2025 continues, Moroccan authorities say the new centre sends a clear signal of readiness and of the country’s intention to place security, cooperation and innovation at the heart of the tournament.
