This update focuses on Morocco world billiards champion. Morocco’s national billiards team delivered a major achievement in Marrakech by becoming both African and world champion at the 2026 Championships, confirming Morocco as a world billiards champion in a discipline that is still discreet but clearly gaining ground.
Morocco world billiards champion on home soil
On Saturday night in Marrakech, the Moroccan team won the 2026 World Billiards Championship by defeating Northern Ireland 11–9 in a tense team final.
The match remained tight from start to finish, with both sides trading frames before the Moroccans pulled ahead in the closing stages.
This title gives Morocco a second world crown, after a first one in 2014, and confirms Morocco’s status as a world billiards champion capable of competing with the sport’s traditional powerhouses.
A strong campaign against top opponents
Earlier in the tournament, Morocco booked its place in the final by beating Wales 11–7 in the semi-finals, a solid win against a respected team.
Throughout the Championships, Moroccan players faced highly rated opponents from countries where billiards enjoys a long-standing structure and culture, which makes the Marrakech result even more significant.
Speaking to the press, national coach Yasser El Amrani underlined the steady work put in by his squad over the course of the event and the level of the teams they had to overcome. Player Abderrahmane Cherfi highlighted the concentration and competitive spirit shown by the Moroccan side, rewarded with a world title at home.
A major international event in Marrakech
The 2026 African and World Billiards Championships were held in Marrakech from 17 to 27 September, under the auspices of the Ultimate Pool Association (UPA) and the International Eightball Pool Federation (IEPF).
The event brought together nearly 300 players from around 18 countries, competing across 24 categories, including:
- team events,
- individual competitions,
- doubles tournaments,
- Masters categories.
This international gathering further established Marrakech as a key stage for global billiards and showcased Morocco as a world billiards champion able to host and win top-level competitions.
What this victory means for Moroccans abroad
For Moroccans living abroad, this Africa–world double is another sign of the country’s growing presence in a wider range of sports, beyond football and athletics.
Such events increase the appeal of trips back home, especially to cities like Marrakech, where tourism and major international competitions often go hand in hand.
They also strengthen the emotional bond with the country: seeing Morocco crowned world billiards champion on home soil offers an extra reason for pride for those who support the national colours from overseas.
For more context, readers can follow Canal212 news for Moroccans abroad.
For official updates, readers can check the relevant official source.
Don’t miss out on the latest news from the diaspora!
Sign up for our next newsletter to receive our practical guides, advice (on procedures and investment) and the latest news for French nationals living abroad, delivered straight to your inbox.
