Morocco’s national football team has earned more than $56 million in FIFA World Cup prize money from its campaigns at the 2022 and 2026 tournaments, turning the Atlas Lions’ recent success into a significant source of revenue for Moroccan football.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation received $31.5 million following Morocco’s quarter-final exit at the 2026 World Cup. The total includes $19 million for reaching the last eight, a $10 million participation fee and a $2.5 million subsidy to support tournament preparations.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Morocco earned $25 million after finishing fourth and becoming the first Arab and African nation to reach the semi-finals. At the time, the payout represented the largest amount ever awarded to an African team at a FIFA World Cup.
“Participation in major tournaments is no longer just about representing Morocco; it has also become a source of millions of dollars that can contribute to the development of Moroccan football,” economist Mohamed Jadri told Hespress English.
Jadri said the funds could be invested in infrastructure, higher salaries and human capital development through the training of coaches and technical staff.
Morocco’s recent football achievements come after years of investment in stadiums, youth academies, coaching programs and sports infrastructure as part of a broader strategy that views sport as a driver of both human and regional development.
According to Jadri, football contributes around 2% of gross domestic product in countries where it has developed into a mature industry. In England, the sport generates more than £11 billion annually, while football accounts for roughly 1.5% of GDP in Spain and produces more than €8 billion each year in Germany.
Sports analyst Tarek Talyani said the prize money earned by Morocco should be viewed as the return on long-term investments rather than as a financial windfall.
He noted that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation has adopted an institutional approach, relying on multiple funding sources to strengthen the sport nationwide.
Talyani pointed to investments in the Mohammed VI Football Academy, the Maamora training complex and stadium infrastructure, which helped develop a generation of players whose performances on the world stage have generated millions of dollars in FIFA revenue.
He added that Morocco’s recent success has also increased the commercial value of the national team, attracting sponsorship agreements from both domestic and international companies, particularly after the Atlas Lions’ historic run in Qatar.
“The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has become a system that generates both sporting and financial value,” Talyani said.
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