Arab fans and football enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the anticipated clash between the Moroccan national team and the Malian national team in the second round of the group stage of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament is being hosted by Morocco until the 18th of next January, amidst a large crowd presence and extensive media coverage.
The match holds special importance, as the Atlas Lions seek to leverage the home ground and crowd support to strengthen their position at the top of the group, while the Malian national team aspires to achieve a positive result to keep them in contention for the qualification spots.
Morocco vs Mali Match Time
Broadcast Channels
- Moroccan Sports Channel TNT: Among the free-to-air channels broadcasting some tournament matches according to CAF regulations.
- beIN Sports Network: Exclusive broadcast in the Middle East and North Africa via the beIN Sports 1 Max channel in high quality.
Moroccan national team
The Moroccan national football team, known as the “Atlas Lions,” was founded in 1955 following the country’s independence. It made history as the first African and Arab team to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in 2022, building on a legacy that includes being the first African nation to win a group at the World Cup in 1986.
Malian national team
The Malian national football team, nicknamed the Eagles, represents Mali in international men’s football. It is administered by the Malian Football Federation and has historically been one of the stronger teams in Africa, having qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations on numerous occasions and finishing as runner-up in 1972.
Africa Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the premier international men’s football competition in Africa, first held in 1957. It was founded to unite African nations emerging from colonialism and is organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Morocco
Morocco is a North African country with a rich history shaped by indigenous Amazigh (Berber) cultures, Arab influence from the 7th century, and successive dynasties like the Almoravids and Almohads. Its cultural sites reflect this blend, from the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis to the imperial cities of Fez and Marrakech, with their historic medinas and Islamic architecture. The country gained independence from French and Spanish protectorates in 1956.
Atlas Lions
The “Atlas Lions” is the nickname for the Moroccan national football team, inspired by the Barbary lion that historically inhabited the Atlas Mountains. The team has a storied history, most notably becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in 2022.
Moroccan Sports Channel TNT
The Moroccan Sports Channel TNT is a private television network launched in 2006, focusing primarily on broadcasting live sports events and related programming within Morocco. It was established to cater to the growing demand for dedicated sports coverage, often featuring popular football leagues and other athletic competitions.
beIN Sports Network
beIN Sports Network is a global sports media group launched in 2012 by beIN Media Group, which is based in Qatar. It was established as a major international broadcaster, acquiring rights to numerous premier sporting events after the parent company’s predecessor, Al Jazeera Sport, had built a foundation in the Middle East and North Africa region. The network now operates multiple channels worldwide, offering coverage of football, tennis, motorsports, and other major competitions.
Middle East
The Middle East is a transcontinental region centered on Western Asia and Egypt, historically home to some of the world’s earliest civilizations, including Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt. It is the birthplace of major Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—and has been a central crossroads of trade and empires for millennia, from the Persians and Ottomans to modern nation-states.
North Africa
North Africa is a region encompassing countries along the Mediterranean coast and the Sahara Desert, historically home to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Carthaginians, and Numidians. It has been profoundly shaped by successive influences, including Roman, Arab, Ottoman, and European colonial rule, which have left enduring marks on its culture, architecture, and languages. Today, it is a distinct cultural area within the Arab world, blending indigenous Amazigh (Berber) heritage with these diverse historical layers.
beIN Sports 1 Max
beIN Sports 1 Max is a premium television sports channel, part of the beIN Media Group’s international network, which launched in 2012. It primarily broadcasts major sporting events, including football from leagues like La Liga and Ligue 1, to audiences in the Middle East and North Africa.
