The Moroccan government has issued a strong official denial after false statements allegedly made by Education and Sports Minister Mohamed Saad Berrada spread widely across social media during the country’s successful FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign.
The fabricated quotes claimed that Morocco « does not represent Africa, » that the national football team « represents only Morocco and not Africa, » and that the country « does not need Africa’s support. » The posts quickly gained traction online, sparking debate across several African platforms.
In response, Morocco’s Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports released an official statement rejecting the allegations in their entirety.
The Ministry stated that Minister Mohamed Saad Berrada never made such comments and had not spoken to any media outlet on the matter. It described the circulating statements as entirely false, fabricated and inconsistent with both the minister’s views and Morocco’s official foreign policy.
The clarification comes as Morocco continues to impress on the world stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Following the country’s historic semifinal appearance at Qatar 2022, the Atlas Lions have once again become one of Africa’s strongest representatives, carrying the hopes of millions of football fans across the continent.
In its statement, the Moroccan government reaffirmed that the Kingdom is proud of its African identity and that its historical, cultural and human ties with other African nations remain a cornerstone of its national policy under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
The Ministry also called on journalists and social media users to exercise greater responsibility by verifying information before sharing it online. It warned that legal proceedings may be initiated against individuals responsible for spreading fabricated statements or misinformation.
The official clarification seeks to put an end to a controversy fueled by fake quotes at a time when Morocco’s achievements on the football field continue to strengthen its image as one of Africa’s leading sporting nations.
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