Despite being depicted as underdogs in the 2022 World Cup, the success of the Moroccan national team is hardly a surprise when considering the pervasiveness of soccer in Moroccan livelihood. One walk through Rabat and the sport’s presence is undeniable, whether it’s young children kicking a ball around a medina side street, or the bright beams of light radiating throughout the sky from the newly built Prince Moulay Abdullah Stadium. If you’re looking to get involved in a match or just a quick game of keepie uppie, you’ll have no problem; just walking around with a ball is enough for a group of strangers to invite you to play unprompted.

Anthony stands in front of the ocean on a sunny day smiling at the camera with a soccer ball under his arm. — The walk to the field at Fort Herve is always one of my favorite parts of the day, and the breeze by the water is always refreshing for the walk back! Photo credit: Darin, 2025.

However, it is very possible that (like myself) you’ll soon long to play on grass or artificial turf–either for the convenience of boundary lines and goals, or to save your feet from battle scars after a hard-fought game on pavement. Fields are abundant in Rabat, but playing on one isn’t as easy as taking the first empty spot you find. The process is quite simple, but the first steps might be unclear, especially if you are still learning French or Arabic. Therefore, I will provide you with all of the steps necessary to rent a field as well as some general things you can expect once you get there.

First, download the app “Rabat Animation - Sport” on your phone, which is available for both Apple and Android devices. Upon opening the app, you will notice that it is entirely in French with no option to change languages. As intimidating as this may seem for Arabic and English speakers, don’t worry. The option to switch to Arabic becomes available after you create an account. Also, these steps will guide you through the process if you speak neither French nor Arabic. Press the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner of the screen. Begin creating an account by pressing “Se connecter” (log in) under the profile picture, and then press the green button with the word “S’inscrire” (register). You will then be asked to enter your phone number. Make sure you use the Moroccan number provided to you by Amideast, as non-Moroccan numbers will not work. Finish creating your account by entering your name, email, and creating a password.

A small turf soccer field is lit up but empty at the moment. — The field at Fort Herve lit up as the sun sets below the Atlantic. A great place for a five-a-side game and where I’ve spent many of my free evenings. Photo credit: Darin, 2025

Once your account is created, you can press “espaces sportifs” which will take you to a map of Rabat’s many fields (spaces for other sports, including basketball and volleyball, are also available). Select your desired date and time, and your desired location on the map (Fort Herve is my favorite as it is close to Amideast and it offers wonderful views of the Atlantic). Fields usually cost about 50-100 dirhams per hour depending on the field’s size and quality. After selecting your field, click “Payer per carte bancaire” (pay by credit card) and enter your credit card information. Now you’re all set!

Make sure that you take a screenshot of your reservation. The fields are patrolled by men ensuring that you have reservations, and spotty reception could make it difficult to access the app once you arrive. Your reservations could be accessed in the “Mes Réservations” (My Reservations) tab in the app’s menu. Before you arrive, make sure that you also have a ball as they are not provided. I bought mine for 115 dirham at the Puma store in the Arribat Centre (about a 15 min walk from Amideast), but some hanoots (small convenience stores) will have cheaper, lower quality soccer balls.

So you’ve arrived, you’ve shown proof of your reservation, and your game is underway. But keep in mind—just because you have a reservation doesn’t mean the field isn’t in high demand. Don’t be surprised if a Moroccan asks to join you and your friends. While the choice is ultimately up to you, I have made many local friends through soccer, and these spontaneous games are often the most memorable.

Whether you are good at soccer or not, I highly recommend renting a field at least once during your time in Rabat. I had never played soccer before coming to Rabat, but now, the sport has ingrained itself in my weekly schedule. These fields are non-judgmental spaces to work out, have fun, and connect with locals in a way that transcends language barriers, and they have provided me with some of the highlights of my semester.

*All steps are as of September 2025. It is possible that the app’s interface will change with future updates.

Anthony Darin is a student at American University and studied abroad in the Fall 2025 on Amideast’s Area & Arabic Language Studies program in Rabat, Morocco.