A high-level delegation from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrived in Morocco over the weekend for an official visit spanning January 4 to 6, 2026, hosted by Morocco’s General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), AhotorSports can confirm.
Led by Douglas Olson, Director of Operations at the FBI’s Field Intervention Services Division, and Kevin Kowalski, Deputy Director of the Emergency Response Group, the delegation is conducting an in-depth review of the security protocols deployed for the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.
The visit began with an on-site assessment at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat during the Morocco-Tanzania round of 16 match on January 5, where the agents observed layered security deployments, access controls, drone surveillance, high-definition camera systems, and real-time coordination via fixed and mobile command centers.
They also toured the African Security Cooperation Center in Salé—a pioneering continental facility inaugurated in December 2025 that coordinates between Moroccan authorities and liaison officers from participating African nations.
On January 6, the delegation shifted focus to the Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium (also known as Stade Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan) in Rabat for the high-profile round of 16 clash between Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, scheduled for 5:00 p.m. local time (16:00 GMT).
Particular attention is being paid to pre-match operations, including the reception and management of large contingents of foreign supporters, operational coordination with international law enforcement representatives, and the role of on-field “spotters” (fan liaison officers) in crowd monitoring.
This matchup, pitting two undefeated teams from the group stage—Algeria (perfect record with nine points in Group E) against DR Congo (seven points as Group D runners-up)—is expected to draw significant crowds to the newly renovated 65,000-plus capacity venue, heightening the relevance of these observations.
The primary objective of the FBI’s mission is to draw lessons from Morocco’s acclaimed security model for major sporting events, directly informing U.S. preparations for co-hosting the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada.
FIFA regulations explicitly require host nations to establish an International Security Cooperation Center, facilitating multilateral coordination among law enforcement from participating countries—a framework Morocco has already implemented on a continental scale for AFCON through its African center.
This bilateral exchange underscores deepening U.S.-Morocco security ties, with both nations positioned to host successive World Cups (2026 for the U.S. triad; 2030 co-hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal).
It builds on shared expertise in risk assessment, emergency response, technological integration, and international police collaboration, ensuring safer global tournaments amid growing crowds and evolving threats.