Angu Lesley Ngwa Akonwi
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Morocco is moving beyond simply hosting the 35th Africa Cup of Nations — it is aiming to transform how such tournaments are experienced. From digital identity to travel authorisation, from high‑speed connectivity to seamless access, the country is deploying a suite of innovations to ensure that spectators, teams and officials face fewer friction points, before, during, and after match days.
Yalla: Fan ID, E‑Visa, and Ticketing in One
At the heart of Morocco’s tech strategy is the Yalla app, launched jointly this Saturday by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for AFCON 2025.
Key features include:
- Fan ID registration: Every ticket holder must register in Yalla for a Fan ID. Without it, access to stadiums and official fan zones is prohibited.
- E‑Visa / Electronic Travel Authorisation (AEVM): For many international fans, Yalla simplifies visa formalities—apply online, track status, integrate with travel plans.
- One‑stop shop for tickets: Through Yalla + the ticket portal at tickets.cafonline.com, fans will purchase tickets, then ensure their Fan ID is active to enter.
This removes many of the traditional bottlenecks around identity, entrance, visa paperwork, and ticket fraud. It is built to handle large volumes, with structured phases of ticket sales (first for Visa card holders, then general public) to avoid overload.
Border Control, Electronic Travel Rules & Smart Permissions
- Morocco is instituting a temporary extension of its electronic travel authorisation system (AEVM) for citizens of eight additional African countries (Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gabon, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Tunisia) during the AFCON period.
- Travelling fans with tickets will use Yalla for their entry permits, simplifying cross‑border procedures. Others (tourism, business) still use Morocco’s standard portals.
- Exemptions are in place (e.g. diplomats, direct transit, spouses etc.). Authorities have emphasised that these steps are temporary but necessary given the expected influx of international fans.
Connectivity, Infrastructure & Transport Upgrades
While digitisation of ticketing & visas grabs headlines, Morocco has also been investing heavily in supporting infrastructure:
- 5G rollout: Scheduled to begin in November 2025. Morocco is pushing to ensure that host cities and venues enjoy strong, high‑speed connectivity.
- Internet backbone, fibre‑optic expansion: Public administration sites, stadiums, airports are being connected or upgraded. This supports everything from ticket verification to broadcast operations.
- Additional international flights & logistics: For example, the national carrier, Royal Air Maroc, is adding over 660 additional flights to increase capacity by more than 50%. Travel packages (flight + accommodation + match) are being packaged to help diaspora fans.
Challenges & What’s at Stake
- Handling demand & scalability: With presales, phased ticket release, and strict requirements (Fan ID + valid visa/auths), Morocco must ensure systems don’t crash. Previous ticket launches across big events in Africa have suffered site crashes, long queues, delays.
- Security & Identity validation: The digital identity (Fan ID) must be robust, fraud‑resistant, and privacy‑aware.
- Travel & border collisions: Airlines, airports, immigration must coordinate tightly; fans denied boarding because of missing authorisation would damage reputations.
- Local transport, last‑mile logistics: Stadium access, crowd handling, connectivity inside fan zones, reliable WiFi/5G during matches.
Why It Matters
- Morocco is not just preparing for AFCON 2025; these systems are stepping stones toward World Cup 2030, which Morocco co‑hosts. Learning these lessons now matters.
- If Yalla and the associated systems work well, this could become a blueprint for major sports and cultural events across Africa: digital tickets + identity + e‑visa + connectivity all centrally managed.
- Fans will expect seamless digital service, good internet, quick border formalities. Morocco is betting the fan experience — not just the matches — will define AFCON 2025’s legacy.
Scene‑Setter: What It Feels Like to Be There
Imagine you’re a fan travelling from abroad:
- You download Yalla weeks ahead. You apply for your Fan ID in a few clicks. You complete the e‑visa process if needed.
- You reserve your tickets (with Visa in the early phase, or later in public sale). Payment goes through your chosen digital means.
- At the airport, immigration checks your AEVM or e‑visa; your Fan ID confirms your match‑entry legitimacy.
- Once in Morocco, the stadium, fan zones, transport hubs—all are expecting you: WiFi/5G is good, signage is digital, maps and updates via the app.
- You show your Fan ID at turnstiles, avoid long queues, enjoy the match. Afterwards, travel between cities via upgraded transport options, maybe digital train tickets, digital info displays, etc.
Verdict
Morocco is making a bold bet: not just on its stadiums or teams, but on tech, connectivity and fan experience. If the digital architecture holds up, AFCON 2025 could be remembered as much for its smooth, modern operations as for its goals and goalscorers.
It won’t be without hiccups. But what Morocco is trying—Fan IDs, integrated e‑visas, app‑centred ticketing, massive connectivity push—signals a turning point in how Africa stages its big events. And for fans it could mean fewer hassles and more moments to just enjoy the beautiful game.
Copyright©2025 kick442.com-Cameroon
All rights reserved. This material and any other digital content on this platform may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, written, or distributed in full or in part, without written permission from our management.
This site is not responsible for the content displayed by external sites
French 
English