A delegation from the American Federal Bureau of Investigation, led by Douglas Olson, Director of Operations at the Field Intervention Services Division, and Kevin Kowalski, Deputy Director of the Emergency Response Group, is making an official visit to the Kingdom of Morocco from January 4 to 6. This is to review the security and public safety protocols implemented by the General Directorate of National Security during the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 football finals.
The FBI delegation began its visit to Morocco by directly and on-site observing the various components of the security system in place at Prince Moulay Abdullah Stadium in Rabat, simultaneously with the match between Morocco and Tanzania. They particularly focused on aspects related to the deployment of security teams, levels of security surveillance, and the use of visual monitoring systems via drones and high-definition cameras. They also reviewed the communication and electronic coordination mechanisms among these security components through both fixed and mobile command centers.
The American delegation also visited the African Security Cooperation Center, which serves as the liaison between Moroccan security services and police officials representing the African states participating in this continental football championship.
The representatives of the FBI were briefed on how this center operates and the advanced technical and logistical means it employs. They also participated in a work session to evaluate the security arrangements for the Morocco vs. Tanzania match.
It is expected that the American delegation’s visit to Morocco will continue with a visit to the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, to gain insight into another aspect of the security arrangements accompanying the match between the national teams of Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their focus will be particularly on the process of securing the entry of foreign fans and the operational coordination between national security services and foreign police officers working at the African Security Cooperation Center, as well as those present on-site as “spotters” for the fans.
The visit of the FBI delegation to Morocco comes within the context of the American side’s desire to understand the factors contributing to the success and distinction of the Moroccan model in securing major sporting events. This is particularly important as the United States prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which necessitates the establishment of an international security cooperation center that includes representatives from the security services of countries participating in the football competitions, in accordance with the regulations mandated by FIFA.
This visit also indicates the mutual desire of both the Moroccan and American sides to enhance mechanisms for bilateral security cooperation through sharing operational experiences. This is especially relevant in areas such as risk assessment, emergency response, and the use of technology in the security field generally, and specifically in supporting sporting events. This strategic direction will continue over the coming years, especially since both countries are set to host consecutive World Cup tournaments in 2026 and 2030.
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