Assahafa.com
Ahead of the Morocco-Brazil match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Atlantic Council hosted a discussion on the “Power of Sport in Diplomacy,” bringing together Youssef Amrani, Ambassador of Morocco to the United States, and Maria Luisa Ribeiro Viotti, Ambassador of Brazil to the United States.
Both diplomats underlined that their nations are “united” by a deep-rooted passion for football and that this shared enthusiasm reflects broader political and economic dimensions.
They argued that Morocco-Brazil relations are underpinned by strong complementarities and growing cooperation, particularly in trade, agriculture, food security and industrial development, making the partnership increasingly strategic.
Football as a universal language
In his address, Amrani emphasized that football has become a global language capable of bridging divides and fostering understanding across cultures.
He described the sport as a unique diplomatic instrument, stating that it can “open doors and forge connections in 90 minutes that diplomacy sometimes takes years to build,” adding that it transcends borders, languages and political differences.
The Moroccan diplomat also praised the United States for its preparations for the 2026 World Cup, calling it a “global event of high symbolic significance,” taking place during the 250th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Morocco and the United States.
Amrani addressed Morocco’s long-term sports development strategy. He pointed to the Mohammed VI Football Academy and modern sports facilities as examples of Morocco’s vision, combining education and sports to create talented and well educated players.
Strengthening Morocco-Brazil relations
Brazil’s Ambassador to Washington, Viotti, highlighted the depth and long history of Morocco-Brazil relations, stressing expanding cooperation across multiple sectors and the role of shared cultural ties, including football, in strengthening bilateral engagement.
In her remarks, she emphasized that trade between the two countries has been steadily increasing, particularly in fertilizers, phosphates, commodities, and industrial goods, while also pointing to potential cooperation in areas such as water management and other strategic sectors.
“We already have very strong relations. Trade has been growing between Brazil and Morocco. Morocco is a great supplier of fertilizers and phosphates to Brazil, which is fundamental to our agricultural production,” she said
The Brazilian diplomat also underlined the historical roots of the bilateral relationship. “Our relations go back to the 1900s, when we received Moroccan immigrants that came to Brazil attracted by the boom in the rubber industry in the Amazon region. And in 1861, Brazil opened the first consulate in Morocco in Tangier,” Viotti explained.
She concluded by noting how shared cultural affinities, particularly football, can serve as a bridge to further deepen diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people relations between Morocco and Brazil.
Source: Morocco word news
