IShowSpeed Set to Attend AFCON 2025 Final in Morocco
Global streaming sensation IShowSpeed (real name Darren Watkins Jr.) has arrived in Morocco and is confirmed to attend tonight's high-stakes Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 final between hosts Morocco and Senegal at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The 21-year-old American YouTuber, known for his high-energy, unpredictable live streams and massive following of over 48 million subscribers, touched down in Morocco on January 18, 2026, just hours before the 10:00 pm EAT kick-off. He was warmly received by officials from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), including personal adviser to President Fouzi Lekjaa, Omar Khyari, and head of communication Amine Mazzen. Reports indicate Speed plans to go live during the match, bringing his signature chaotic style to the global audience and amplifying the tournament's reach among younger viewers worldwide.
This appearance caps off Speed's ambitious 28-day, 20-country "Speed Does Africa" tour, which began on December 29, 2025, in Angola and has taken him through nations like Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Egypt (where he made history by livestreaming from inside the Giza Pyramids), and most recently Algeria.
His Moroccan stop stands in sharp contrast to the turbulent end of his Algeria visit just days earlier. While in Algiers, Speed attended the Algerian Super Cup final between MC Alger and USM Alger at Nelson Mandela Stadium as part of his live stream. What began as an effort to showcase local football culture quickly turned chaotic when some ultra fans—known for their intense, privacy-focused behavior—reacted negatively to his filming.
Speed and his team faced projectiles, including water bottles and paper wads thrown from the stands, along with insults and harassment. Visibly shaken, he abruptly ended the stream, saying phrases like "I am not welcome here, I should leave" and "They keep pouring water on me... this is too crazy." He was escorted out of the stadium for safety, cutting short what had otherwise been energetic segments featuring desert adventures and cultural interactions.
The incident sparked widespread debate online: some Algerian fans expressed shame and apologized, noting that ultras often target anyone filming (even locals or security), while others criticized the behavior as unwelcoming to a guest. International reactions ranged from accusations of hostility to defenses that it was isolated to a specific fan group, not representative of the country. Speed later acknowledged the love shown by many Algerians but admitted disappointment over the stadium episode.
In contrast, Morocco's reception has been described as professional, orderly, and aligned with the nation's reputation for hosting major events like AFCON 2025. Speed's presence adds extra buzz to a final where Morocco chases its first continental title in 50 years (since 1976), while Senegal aims for a second crown following their 2021 triumph.
Fans have even joked about an "IShowSpeed curse" after several teams he visited earlier in the tournament exited early, though his arrival in Morocco—where the Atlas Lions have been dominant—has sparked lighthearted speculation about whether the hosts can break the pattern.
As the continent's premier football showcase reaches its climax, IShowSpeed's attendance underscores the growing fusion of global streaming culture with African sports, turning the Rabat final into an even bigger spectacle for millions tuning in online.
