Casablanca is preparing to host the 7th World Nanbudo Championship on September 26 and 27, 2025, at the Mohammed Majid arena in Anfa. The event is being organized by Morocco’s National Nanbudo Commission in collaboration with the International Nanbudo Federation.
This isn’t Morocco’s first time in the spotlight. The country has already played host to this global martial arts competition in 2011, 2017, and 2022, making it the only African and Arab nation to have welcomed the tournament on multiple occasions. This consistency underlines Morocco’s growing stature as a serious player on the international sports stage.
Beyond the competition itself, the event reflects a broader ambition: to position Morocco as a leading destination for major sporting events while highlighting the cultural and diplomatic value of such international gatherings. Nanbudo, a discipline that emphasizes inner balance, peace, and discipline, also serves as a tool to engage and inspire young people both within Morocco and abroad.
By staging this championship, Morocco aims to raise the profile of a martial art still unfamiliar to many. Organizers hope the tournament will spark new interest in the sport, lead to the creation of additional clubs, and help identify and nurture homegrown talent. There’s also a clear expectation that events like this can boost sports tourism—a sector Morocco continues to invest in as part of its broader development strategy.
Between 150 and 200 athletes from around 20 countries are expected to participate, with delegations coming from nations such as Germany, France, Italy, India, Tunisia, Turkey, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Senegal, Switzerland, the UAE, and Norway. Over two days, seasoned champions and promising newcomers will compete in front of Moroccan fans, offering an exciting window into a martial art rooted in both physical discipline and spiritual focus.
