Rabat – French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu expressed that the ambiance surrounding Morocco and France’s encounter at the 2026 FIFA World Cup highlighted the strong bonds between the two nations, calling the match a representation of their friendship and mutual confidence.
During a joint press conference with Moroccan Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch at the 15th Morocco-France High-Level Meeting in Rabat on Thursday, Lecornu pointed to the moments in the stands during the World Cup quarter-final as a testament to the close ties between the Moroccan and French peoples.
He noted seeing numerous fans in Paris sporting the French national team’s jerseys while waving Moroccan flags, while others donned Morocco’s colors and held French flags.
“These moments showcased a distinctive friendship based on profound respect and genuine trust between our nations,” he remarked, adding that football has become a significant reflection of the human connections linking Morocco and France.
A New Chapter in Bilateral Relations
The French Prime Minister highlighted that visiting Morocco for the 15th High-Level Meeting was an honor, noting that the warm reception in Rabat reaffirmed the strength of the relationship between the two countries.
He mentioned that King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron had tasked their governments with fulfilling the commitments established during Macron’s state visit to Morocco in October 2024, while also pursuing new collaborative initiatives under their “exceptional partnership.”
Lecornu also revealed that Morocco and France are in discussions to draft what would be France’s first bilateral treaty with a nation outside the European Union, calling it another significant development in their evolving partnership.
