AFCON 2025: Influencers captivated by Morocco’s culture, cities and hospitality

As the Africa Cup of Nations unfolds across Morocco, the tournament is proving to be far more than a series of football matches.

Beyond the goals, tactics, and results, a different story is playing out online one shaped by foreign influencers who have discovered Morocco through the rhythm of AFCON and are sharing that experience with millions around the world.

For Morocco, hosting the 35th edition of AFCON is not just a sporting responsibility but a strategic opportunity.

The competition has become a living showcase of the country’s culture, infrastructure, landscapes, and people.

Through the lenses of visiting content creators, football is blending seamlessly with travel, history, food, and everyday life, turning AFCON into a powerful soft-power moment.

From Rabat to Tangier, Fez to Marrakech, Morocco’s host cities have welcomed fans and influencers from across Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. Their social media feeds are filled not only with stadium atmospheres but also with scenes of bustling medinas, historic gates, street food stalls, high-speed trains, and spontaneous encounters marked by warmth and generosity.

Tosin, popularly known as Old Trafford Queen from Nigeria, stands out as a vibrant and confident influencer whose passion for football and fan culture is impossible to ignore. As a representative of 1xBet, she brings energy, authenticity, and strong engagement to the brand, connecting naturally with football lovers across social media.

Her deep understanding of the game, especially from a fan’s perspective, allows her to communicate with credibility while keeping her content entertaining and relatable.

Beyond branding, Tosin has built a strong personal identity rooted in consistency, confidence, and community connection. She represents modern African sports influencing bold, informed, and influential using her platform to celebrate football culture while inspiring young fans, especially women, to own their space in sports conversations. Her presence adds value not just to 1xBet, but to the wider football media space.

A Saudi Hakim influencer with millions of followers documented his journey from arrival to matchday, praising Rabat’s greenery, architecture, and stadiums, undeterred even by rainy weather.

His content quickly shifted from football to travel dreams, promising future visits to snow-covered Ifrane, often called Morocco’s “little Switzerland.”

Salim from Algeria, several creators emphasized fraternity and shared culture. One influencer chronicled his walks through Casablanca and Rabat, sampling tagines and grilled fish while repeatedly hearing locals describe Algerians and Moroccans as brothers. Conversations naturally drifted toward football dreams, including the possibility of a Morocco–Algeria final.

A Tunisian content creator, in Morocco to support the Eagles of Carthage, found himself embraced by strangers during a stroll through Rabat.

Waving his national flag, he was greeted with hugs, friendly jokes, and repeated welcomes. His food adventures especially around spicy dishes became highlights, including a moment in Salé where a street vendor refused payment out of hospitality.

An Egyptian influencer and eye surgeon arrived early and turned his stay into a practical guide for fellow fans. Speaking fluent Moroccan Arabic, he showed his audience how to navigate taxis, order meals, and find accommodation.

His journey also took him to the Atlas Mountains, where he organized a communal viewing of the opening match with locals, blending football with solidarity and shared joy.

Senegalese creators brought vibrant energy to cities like Tangier and Fez. One captured the street celebrations as Senegalese and Moroccan fans danced and chanted together, calling Morocco’s stadiums among the finest on the continent.

Another followed his team across the country by high-speed train, marveling at the transport system before immersing himself in Fez’s ancient medina. For him, the visit became a lesson in history, craftsmanship, and spirituality, ending with the reflection that AFCON journeys often deliver far more than football.

From Nigeria, a YouTuber chose to explore Morocco beyond match venues, traveling to Ifrane to experience snow in Africa and documenting the contrast between alpine-style architecture and the rest of the continent. His train journey to Rabat also became content, highlighting modern rail infrastructure and new stations.

In Marrakech, an Ivorian influencer shared scenes of everyday life as he cycled through the medina, paused for msemen in the souks, and accepted help from strangers. For him, Moroccan hospitality was not a slogan but a lived reality.

Even voices from outside Africa joined the narrative. A Brazilian-Lebanese footballer and streamer moved between Rabat, Marrakech, and Agadir, blending music, street performances, nightlife, and food into her AFCON story, humorously declaring Moroccan tea a priority before anything else.

Together, these experiences form a collective portrait of Morocco during AFCON one where football opens the door, but culture, history, and human connection leave the lasting impression.

Through the eyes of foreign influencers, the tournament has become a journey across cities and identities, reinforcing Morocco’s image as a welcoming crossroads where sport meets soul.