Rabat – American content creator IShowSpeed is teasing an upcoming tour of Africa, and Morocco appears to be one of his likely stops as the country gears up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2025).
In recent weeks, the streamer — whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr. — has repeatedly told his audience that he intends to travel across the continent, timing his visit to coincide with major football events. In several clips circulating on social media, he mentions Morocco specifically, fueling speculation that he could visit during AFCON 2025, which Morocco will host between December 2025 and January 2026.
For Moroccan fans, the idea is appealing on several levels. IShowSpeed has built one of the largest Gen Z football communities online, with millions of viewers following his live reactions to matches, player appearances, and stadium experiences. A potential visit would not only excite local supporters but also shine a strong spotlight on Morocco’s stadiums, fan culture, and host cities.
A global football influencer eyes Africa
IShowSpeed’s rise has been closely linked to football content. While he originally gained traction as a gaming streamer, his reactions to stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and his trips to major matches in Europe helped transform him into one of the most visible online personalities in the sport’s digital ecosystem.
His Africa tour, as he has described it to fans, is meant to bring that same high-energy coverage to a continent whose football he often praises but has never fully explored on the ground. Morocco, as host of AFCON 2025 and co-host of the 2030 World Cup, naturally fits into that narrative.
If he follows through, the visit could align with a broader effort by Moroccan institutions to use football as a tool of soft power and international promotion. The country has invested heavily in infrastructure, from the Mohammed VI Football Complex to renovated and newly built stadiums, and has positioned itself as a leading football destination in Africa and beyond.
A boost for Morocco’s football and tourism story
The timing of IShowSpeed’s interest comes as Morocco’s tourism and football authorities are rolling out major campaigns around AFCON 2025. The country is banking on the tournament not just as a sporting event, but as a moment to attract hundreds of thousands of additional visitors, particularly from Africa and Europe, and to promote a renewed image Morocco abroad.
In that context, a creator with IShowSpeed’s reach represents something more than a celebrity guest. His audience skews young, global, and highly engaged online. Live streams filmed from Moroccan stadiums, fan zones, or city streets could offer viewers an unfiltered look at match atmospheres and daily life, complementing official campaigns with viral, personality-driven content.
For many football fans who first connected with Morocco during the 2022 World Cup — when the Atlas Lions reached the semifinals — such content could reinforce the idea of the country as both a football powerhouse and an attractive travel destination.
Reported talks with FRMF
Amid this speculation, several regional media outlets have reported that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has entered into discussions with IShowSpeed’s camp about a possible collaboration around AFCON 2025. According to these reports, the federation is exploring ways to integrate the streamer into the tournament’s promotional ecosystem, from stadium content to fan experiences.
So far, neither the FRMF nor IShowSpeed has formally confirmed any agreement. No official statement details the format, scope, or timing of a potential partnership, and all plans remain subject to change. For now, the talks are described as exploratory and ongoing.
What is clear, however, is that Morocco’s strategy for AFCON 2025 goes beyond the pitch. Whether or not a deal with IShowSpeed materializes, the mere possibility reflects a wider shift: major football competitions are no longer only about teams, fixtures, and TV rights, but also about digital creators, viral moments, and global online audiences.
If IShowSpeed’s Africa tour does bring him to Morocco during the tournament, the visit will likely be closely watched — by local fans in the stands, by organizers charged with protecting the event’s image, and by millions of viewers discovering AFCON 2025 through his camera lens.
