Rabat – Casablanca will once again become a focal point for international tennis as it prepares to host a pivotal Davis Cup tie between Morocco and Colombia.
Returning to the city after more than two decades, the World Group I play-off will be held at the USM Tennis Club on February 7–8. With a spot in the elite tier on the line, the Moroccan squad, captained by Hicham Arazi, looks to channel the city’s rich tennis history in front of a passionate home crowd.
The Davis Cup, often described as the “World Cup of Tennis,” sees national teams compete in head-to-head ties involving singles and doubles matches. For Morocco, this weekend’s clash with Colombia is a huge opportunity. A win in these 2026 play-offs would catapult the team into the elite World Group I, putting them in a prime position to take on the best in the world.
Casablanca last hosted Davis Cup matches 23 years ago. Back in 2003, the national team notably defeated Great Britain in a Davis Cup tie in the city, a result long remembered by fans.
Now, more than twenty years later, the wait is finally over. The return of the Davis Cup to Casablanca is the perfect way to honor the past while firing up a new era of tennis fever throughout Morocco.
Expectations for the national team
Under the leadership of former Moroccan tennis star Hicham Arazi, who serves as captain, the national team enters the tie with determination and optimism. Arazi, a respected figure in Moroccan tennis with extensive international experience, has spoken in recent press events about the honor of competing at home and the team’s ambitions for victory.
“The national team is solid,” he told Le360. “We have several players capable of performing and going out to secure victory. There are also young players, like Reda Bennani, for whom this is a first. He brings very positive energy and a lot of motivation.”
Morocco’s roster has earned its place in the play-offs by strong performances in earlier rounds, including convincing wins over Zimbabwe (4–0) and South Africa (4–1).
Beyond the results on the court, this event is a chance to put a spotlight on Morocco’s tennis scene. Showing off top-tier local venues and a dedicated fanbase, this will give the sport a major visibility boost across the country.
For officials from the Moroccan Royal Tennis Federation (FRMT), this moment carries weight for the nation’s sports scene. They noted that returning the Davis Cup to Casablanca not only honors the city’s deep tennis roots but also proves it has everything needed to host major international events in the years to come.
