His presence was uncertain, and he was ultimately not seen. This Sunday, on the occasion of the opening ceremony of the 2025 African Cup of Nations in Rabat, all eyes were on the presidential stand to look for the presence of King Mohammed VI. And although a large portrait of him was installed, the sovereign was not there in the flesh.
It was his eldest son Moulay El Hassan, crown prince of Morocco, who presided over the ceremony. The 22-year-old was seated alongside Comoros President Azali Assoumani and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The latter also took the floor and thanked King Mohamed VI for welcoming the world of football “in this wonderful country, for uniting Africa and uniting the world. » “I would like to wish good luck to the 24 countries competing for this CAN which will be the most beautiful CAN in history,” he added.
The sovereign has been affected by sarcoidosis for several years. This is a pathology that affects the immune system and damages the heart. Mohammed VI made several trips to France to treat this disease, the cause of which is unknown but which causes an accumulation of granulomas in different organs. In recent months, his public appearances have been rare.
