AGP Executive Report

World Cup Buzz: Scotland named a 26-man squad for the first time since 1998, with Ross Stewart returning after a four-year gap and 19-year-old Findlay Curtis earning a spot, while 43-year-old Craig Gordon makes the cut despite a shoulder injury. Brazil Selection Shock: Chelsea striker João Pedro learned he’s out of Brazil’s World Cup squad hours before being voted Chelsea Player of the Season, as Carlo Ancelotti said the decision considered the grueling European schedule and player specifics. Morocco in the Spotlight: Morocco’s group at the 2026 World Cup is set (with Haiti and Scotland), and Qatar Airways also flagged more Africa flying—adding a daily Marrakesh service from 1 July. Security & Trade: Portugal’s new night-time restrictions on high-speed drug-smuggling boats take effect, while Interpol says “Operation Ramz” arrested 201 people across MENA cybercrime networks. Football Politics: Mamelodi Sundowns’ CAF final preparations in Rabat hit a snag after a Morocco landing-permit delay grounded the team for a day.

World Cup Shockwave: Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has named Neymar in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending nearly three years of absence and sparking instant celebration despite lingering fitness doubts. Morocco in the Spotlight: The decision lands as Brazil’s group stage includes Morocco, with the tournament set to run across the US, Canada and Mexico. CAF Champions League Drama: In Rabat-bound tension, Mamelodi Sundowns carry a 1-0 lead over AS FAR after Aubrey Modiba’s strike, but the return leg is still wide open—especially after VAR controversy and crowd violence concerns. Human Rights Focus: Sahrawi defender Aminatou Haidar arrived in Ljubljana to press Western Sahara rights issues at Slovenian institutions. Aviation Reality Check: Africa’s passenger boom is growing fast, but profits remain razor-thin, putting pressure on tourism and hospitality across the region.

Western Sahara Diplomacy: Aminatou Haidar told Slovenia’s Parliament that Morocco is violating rights in occupied areas, citing limits on freedoms, pressure on activists, and the plight of Sahrawi political prisoners, while also accusing European partners of enabling resource exploitation. Mine Action Review: An African Union Commission team is visiting the Sahrawi Republic to assess mine-clearance and explosive-remnants work, including contamination levels and priorities for the national program. Cybercrime Crackdown: Interpol says it dismantled online fraud networks across 13 Arab countries in “Rameses,” arresting 201 suspects and identifying nearly 4,000 victims, with Morocco among the participating states. CAF Champions League Focus: Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso urged calm after a VAR malfunction delayed the second half of the final first leg, where Aubrey Modiba’s free-kick secured a 1-0 win over AS FAR. World Cup Build-Up: Ghana’s AFCON 2027 qualifying draw seeds are set for Tuesday, with Morocco potentially facing Ghana in a tough Pot 1/2 mix.

CAF Champions League Drama: Mamelodi Sundowns edged AS FAR 1-0 in the first leg at Loftus, but the night was marred by VAR breakdown and crowd violence, including tear gas and a reported fall from the stands—Aubrey Modiba’s free-kick still giving Sundowns the lead ahead of the Rabat second leg. Morocco’s Global Profile: The Stimson Center again spotlights Morocco as an emerging “strategic middle power,” citing reforms, logistics and energy ambitions, and growing diplomatic weight around the Sahara. World Cup Buzz: Neymar insists he’s fit after a knee-hit comeback, brushing off “nonsense” criticism as Brazil’s squad announcement nears—Morocco is listed among Brazil’s group opponents. Diplomacy & Culture: Morocco’s cultural push abroad continues, with a Morocco-Greece cultural week in Athens featuring crafts and a major conference on May 20. Regional Watch: Ghana’s U-17 Black Starlets suffered a 1-0 loss to Senegal in Morocco, leaving them bottom of Group D after missing key chances.

CAF Champions League Final (1st leg): Mamelodi Sundowns took a big step toward a second title, beating Morocco’s AS FAR 1-0 at Loftus Versfeld thanks to Aubrey Modiba’s stunning 37th-minute free kick, but they’ll rue missed chances as they head to Rabat next Sunday with only a slender lead. Match Drama: VAR malfunction delayed the second half and FAR initially refused to return, while crowd trouble also marred the night. U.S. Military in Morocco: In a separate Morocco-linked story, the U.S. says the remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. were recovered from the Atlantic Ocean, with a second soldier still missing. Regional Diplomacy: UAE foreign minister Abdullah bin Zayed held calls with Arab counterparts condemning a drone attack near the Barakah nuclear plant, warning it was a dangerous escalation. Morocco Watch: A fuel-station owners’ group alleges diesel shortages by distributors, saying complaints have been filed after discrepancies of more than 150 liters.

U.S.-Morocco Search Update: The U.S. military says the remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., missing after a cliff fall during African Lion exercises near Tan-Tan, were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean; teams are still searching for the second missing soldier. Business Finance: Abu Dhabi-listed Anan Investment Holding approved a Dh350m share capital increase, offering up to 350m new shares to existing shareholders starting June 1. Morocco Economy Policy: Morocco’s new TPME charter is drawing backlash after critics say it would reach only about 0.02% of businesses, far below the scale of the country’s small-enterprise base. Sports (Morocco-linked): Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says they must handle the CAF Champions League final intelligently as they host AS FAR in the first leg at Loftus. Global Security: Italy’s Modena saw a car-ramming and stabbing incident that injured eight, with authorities investigating motives. Youth Football: Morocco’s U17 side beat Ethiopia 2-1 to move joint top of their AFCON group.

U.S. Search Update: The U.S. military says the remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., missing after a cliff fall during African Lion 26 in Morocco, were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean on May 9; teams are still searching for a second missing soldier. Morocco’s Economy: Bank Al-Maghrib reports the dirham strengthened slightly versus both the euro and the dollar, while reserves edged down. World Cup Boost: FIFA approved France-born midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi to play for Morocco ahead of the 2026 tournament. AI Spotlight: Casablanca is set to host an international AI and future-of-work conference on May 23, aiming to position the city as a regional hub. Tourism Watch: Morocco is seeing a surge in Russian bookings for summer 2026, with reports citing faster growth than key regional rivals.

U.S.-Morocco Search Update: The Atlantic Ocean has yielded the remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 27, recovered after he and another soldier fell off a cliff during off-duty hiking near Cap Draa during African Lion; a Moroccan team found him May 9, while the U.S. and partners continue searching for the second missing soldier. World Cup Build-Up: Morocco’s World Cup squad gets a boost as Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi switches allegiance to the Atlas Lions after FIFA approval, making him immediately eligible. CAF Champions League Spotlight: Mamelodi Sundowns host AS FAR in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final today, with Sundowns aiming to bounce back after a league setback. Local Economy Watch: Morocco’s gasoline prices rise by 0.5 dirham per liter, while diesel stays unchanged amid global oil and regional shipping uncertainty. Tech & Football: Google’s Gemini is set to power new digital fan experiences for both Morocco and Iraq’s national teams.

U.S.-Morocco Search Update: The U.S. military says the remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., missing after a cliff fall during African Lion exercises near Cap Draa, were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean; a second soldier is still missing as search teams continue. Health Watch: Spain’s Murcia region confirmed a fourth measles case tied to the Alcantarilla outbreak, with contact tracing ongoing and the original source still unclear. World Cup Build-Up: Teams keep finalising squads for the June 11 kickoff, while hotel bookings in some U.S. host cities are reportedly lagging behind expectations. Morocco in the Mix: Casablanca’s port is facing severe congestion, with dozens of ships waiting offshore and grain shipments hit hardest. Energy Pressure: Morocco plans an extra 20 billion dirhams to cushion households from Middle East-linked energy shocks. CAF Spotlight: Channel 4 secured free UK streaming for the CAF Champions League final between Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR.

U.S.-Morocco Search Update: The U.S. military says the remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., missing after a cliff fall during African Lion exercises near Cap Draa, were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean; teams are still searching for a second soldier. World Cup Build-Up: France named its 2026 World Cup squad but left out Real Madrid’s Camavinga and PSG keeper Lucas Chevalier, with Deschamps citing limited playing time and injuries. Brazil Coaching: Carlo Ancelotti renewed his Brazil contract through the 2030 World Cup, ahead of Brazil’s group-stage opener against Morocco. Morocco Budget Shield: Morocco plans to add $2bn (20bn dirhams) to the 2026 budget to cushion Middle East conflict fallout, including keeping key prices stable. Business & Law: Morocco’s employers federation elected Mehdi Tazi as head through 2030, and lawmakers approved a contentious overhaul of the legal profession. CAF U-17: Ghana’s Black Starlets blew a two-goal lead to draw Algeria 2-2 in their AFCON U-17 opener.

U.S.-Morocco Search Update: The U.S. Army says the remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., missing after a cliff fall during off-duty hiking near Cap Draa, were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean on May 9; teams are still searching for a second missing soldier. CAF Champions League Final: Mamelodi Sundowns host Morocco’s AS FAR for the first leg at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday, with discipline a key concern for midfielder Jayden Adams after red-card suspensions. U17 AFCON Kickoff: South Africa stunned Senegal 2-1 in Rabat to open Group D, while Ghana’s Black Starlets begin their campaign against Algeria today, with a Tanzanian referee appointed for the match. World Cup Travel Pressure: A U.S. visa-bond requirement for some foreign ticket holders has been suspended, but fans still face high costs and uneven hotel demand ahead of the expanded 48-team tournament. Diplomacy Watch: Morocco and Syria reaffirmed support for Rabat’s Sahara position and UN Resolution 2797 during talks in Rabat.

U.S.-Morocco Search Ends: The U.S. military says the remains of the second soldier missing during African Lion exercises in Morocco have been recovered from the Atlantic Ocean, identifying her as 19-year-old Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington of Tavares, Florida; Moroccan forces helped locate and transport the body to a military hospital in Guelmim, while the search for the other missing soldier had already concluded earlier in the week. Military Cooperation: The incident happened near the Cap Draa Training Area after the two soldiers reportedly fell off a cliff during an off-duty hike, prompting a large multinational rescue effort involving U.S. and Moroccan teams. World Cup Build-Up: With the 2026 World Cup now about a month away, FIFA squad lists are coming into focus, and Morocco is grouped with Brazil, Haiti and Scotland. Regional Watch: Separately, reports say Nigeria and Morocco are moving toward a major Atlantic gas pipeline agreement later in 2026.

World Cup Prep: Morocco confirmed three warm-up matches ahead of the June 11–July 19 tournament, with Burundi (May 26, Sale, behind closed doors), Madagascar (June 2, Rabat, fans welcome), and Norway (June 7, New York) rounding out preparations under new coach Mohamed Ouahbi. CAF Fallout: After the chaotic AFCON 2025 final in Rabat, CAF president Patrice Motsepe admitted officiating and match-management “deficiencies” helped fuel the mess, and CAF says it has introduced new rules to tighten VAR and referee confidence. Drug Bust: Nigeria’s NDLEA seized 4,173.5kg of “Canadian Loud” worth over ₦10.4bn at Lagos’ Tin Can Island Port, hidden inside a shipping container with a used Ford bus and Mercedes C300, with the shipment traced from Toronto via Morocco’s Tanger Med. Local Housing: An extension to the Sunrise Hostel is ready, allowing residents from the Queen’s hostel—mostly Moroccan pensioners—to be moved in groups with transport support.

U.S. Search Update: The U.S. military says the remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., who went missing after falling off a cliff during off-duty hiking near Tan-Tan during African Lion, were recovered in the Atlantic on May 9; search teams are still hunting for the second missing soldier. World Cup Countdown: The full 48-team 2026 World Cup field is now set, with Morocco drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, and Morocco’s Atlas Lions confirming three warm-up friendlies (Burundi May 26, Madagascar June 2, Norway June 7). Football & Culture Clash: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick defended Lamine Yamal after the 18-year-old waved a Palestinian flag during the LaLiga parade, saying it’s Yamal’s choice. Health Sovereignty: Kenya pushed local vaccine production as a resilience strategy at Africa Forward 2026, highlighting new manufacturing capacity. Business & Travel: Ovation Global DMC expanded its Africa portfolio to 15 destinations, adding Morocco ahead of IMEX Frankfurt.

World Cup Injury Shock: Brazil’s Estevao is set to miss the 2026 World Cup with a thigh injury, while Neymar makes an expanded squad—another reminder that stars are falling as kickoff nears. Morocco in the Group: Brazil’s Group C rivals include Morocco, with the Atlas Lions opening against Brazil on June 13. Morocco Football Impact: CAF says Morocco generated about $2bn from hosting AFCON, underlining how big tournaments keep feeding the local economy. Security & Diplomacy: Morocco’s top security reshuffle is in the headlines, while the Africa-Forward Summit in Nairobi spotlights a new Africa–France partnership push. Household Pressure: As Eid al-Adha approaches, economists warn Moroccan families are under rising cost pressure, with many relying on savings or borrowing. Sports Beyond Football: The U.S. recovered remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. after a Morocco training incident; the search continues for a second missing soldier.

Atlantic Search Update: The U.S. military says the remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. were recovered in the Atlantic off Morocco after he went missing during African Lion exercises; a second soldier is still missing, with the search involving hundreds of personnel, ships, helicopters and drones. Education Oversight: Morocco has launched a nationwide audit of school boarding facilities, starting with inspection visits in Rabat-Salé-Kénitra to improve accommodation and catering. Regional Diplomacy: Morocco’s PM Aziz Akhannouch is in Nairobi for the Africa Forward summit, pushing partnerships with France as leaders meet at Kenya’s State House. Western Sahara Pressure: A French group denounced what it calls repeated disregard for international law on Western Sahara, renewing calls for self-determination. Health Watch: Spain’s hantavirus cruise response continues as remaining passengers fly home under quarantine protocols.