Why the FBI Was Watching Algeria vs DR Congo at AFCON 2025

When Algeria faced DR Congo in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, most fans were focused on the drama on the pitch. 

The match in Rabat was tense, physical and went all the way to extra time before Algeria’s Adil Boulbina struck a late winner to send the Desert Foxes into the quarter-finals.

But away from the football, something else caught the attention of supporters inside the Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium: the presence of agents from the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

A noticeable presence in Rabat

Fans sitting close to the VIP sections noticed well-dressed officials closely observing the game, taking notes and monitoring activity around the stadium. 

This was not an isolated appearance. The same group of FBI officials had also been present days earlier during Morocco’s narrow 1–0 win over Tanzania.

Their repeated presence naturally raised questions. Why would American federal agents attend AFCON matches being played thousands of miles away from the United States?

Not about football, but security

Despite the speculation, the FBI agents were not in Morocco because of Algeria, DR Congo, or any specific players. Their mission was security-focused.

The delegation, led by senior FBI officials, was in Morocco on a short learning and observation visit. Their goal was to study how Morocco is managing security at a major international tournament like AFCON, which involves large crowds, high-profile teams, and intense global attention.

Morocco has earned praise for its well-organised security structure, and AFCON 2025 provided a perfect real-life environment for studying crowd control, surveillance, emergency response, and coordination between different security units.

Learning ahead of the 2026 World Cup

The timing of the visit is important. The United States is set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one of the biggest sporting events in history. With millions of fans expected across multiple cities, security planning is a top priority.

By attending AFCON matches, FBI officials were able to observe:

• How visual surveillance systems are used inside and outside stadiums
  
• The role of drones and high-resolution cameras in monitoring crowds
  
• Communication between mobile and fixed command centres
  
• Coordination between police, emergency responders, and private security
  

They also visited Morocco’s African Security Cooperation Centre, which plays a key role in intelligence sharing and tournament safety.

This is not the first time the US has closely monitored major football events. In 2025, the United States hosted the FIFA Club World Cup as a test run ahead of 2026. Lessons from that tournament, including crowd behaviour and security challenges, are now being combined with insights from events like AFCON.