The Moroccan Minister of Tourism announced plans to expand the country's hotel stock by 60,000 beds. This figure will account for approximately one-fifth of the current total number of beds by the time of the 2030 World Cup, in which the country will be one of the co-hosts.
The North African country is leveraging the exposure gained from reaching the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup and the semi-finals in Qatar four years ago to achieve long-term benefits for its tourism industry. This sector employs hundreds of thousands of Moroccans and contributes about 7% to the gross domestic product.
Tourism Minister Fatima Zahra Ammor stated that the 2030 World Cup is viewed as a catalyst, not an end goal. The government is investing over 190 billion dirhams (equivalent to approximately 20 billion dollars) in the construction and modernization of railway, road, airport, and stadium infrastructure, as well as other urban facilities before the tournament. Morocco is one of the three main co-hosts alongside Portugal and Spain, although the number of matches each country will host has not yet been determined.
Over the past four years, Morocco has already increased its hotel capacity by 45,000, bringing the total stock to just over 300,000. Last year, the North African country welcomed nearly 20 million tourists, becoming the most visited destination in Africa, and aims to attract 26 million visitors by 2030. The Central Bank of Morocco forecasts that tourism revenues will reach a record 161 billion dirhams ($17.14 billion) in 2027, compared to 138 billion dirhams ($14.78 billion) in 2025. Furthermore, the increase in flights from Europe has contributed to the sector's development.
The country is also striving to diversify its tourist destinations beyond traditional spots such as Marrakech and Agadir. Fatima Zahra Ammor noted that the capital, Rabat, needs to be transformed into a hub for cultural events, sporting events, and business travel, given its centuries-old monuments, museums, and sports facilities. She emphasized the need for investments that will create sustainable value for Moroccan tourism.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced on Tuesday (21) that the semi-automatic offside system will be implemented in the Série A of the Brazilian Championship starting from the 20th round, marking the beginning of the second half of the competition next weekend.
The sports entity reported that the technology underwent tests in recent weeks, both in youth category games and in matches of the Série A itself, before receiving final approval for official use. This decision was communicated to the clubs during a meeting held Tuesday morning at the CBF headquarters in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).
Although the CBF had already planned to introduce this novelty in the 20th round, as scheduled in May, the confirmation date was postponed to prevent any unforeseen issues during the long implementation process, which lasted approximately eight months.
The CBF assures that all stadiums belonging to Série A clubs are properly prepared to operate the new semi-automatic offside system. Additionally, the Crefisa Barueri Arena, used by Palmeiras when Nubank Park hosts events, will also adopt the technology after the club contracts the service.
The system's operation requires the use of about 30 mobile phones installed in the stadium, which need an electrical power source and internet access. The technology is provided by the company Genius, which also uses it in other competitions, such as the Premier League, the Mexican Championship, and the Belgian Championship. Currently, 65 stadiums globally have the semi-automatic offside installation.
The devices are responsible for recording the entire game in 4K resolution and at 100 frames per second, which allows for the creation of a complete digital replica of the match.
Based on data collected from the operation of the technology in the three leagues that already use it, the CBF points out that the semi-automatic offside can reduce the time dedicated to analyzing offside calls by about 33%. The system is named Semi-Automated Offside Technology and abbreviated as SAOT.
In case of any technical failure during the games, the refereeing team will notify coaches, team captains, and the public about the unavailability of the technology. In these scenarios, the refereeing body will revert to using the conventional VAR analysis method, resorting to the manual line check to verify offside calls, following the same protocol used in the first 19 rounds of the Brazilian Championship.
Initially, the CBF intended to start the 2026 edition of the Brasileirão with the semi-automatic offside active. However, it was necessary to postpone the implementation so that technical visits could be conducted to all stadiums that would receive the new technology before its activation.
In recent years, esports have evolved drastically, moving from small and restricted competitions to large events that fill stadiums and reach millions of views online. This growth does not depend only on the athletes, but also on a vast audience that follows the events without necessarily playing the games, which helps explain the 640.8 million views recorded in 2025 and demonstrates that esports transcend mere game mechanics.
There is a common misconception that it is essential to play to appreciate esports events. However, this is not true; it is analogous to a football fan watching the sport without practicing it. The broadcasts are designed to entertain, relying on commentators who explain everything in a didactic way and inject energy, turning matches into a spectacle.
Even for those who do not know the game, esports broadcasts function as entertainment. The main focus lies in the tension generated by decision-making under pressure. Crucial moments, where every choice can determine the outcome, are intense, especially when professional players compete for high prizes and recognition.
Following the changes in leadership during tournaments and the intense rivalries is captivating. Additionally, informal conversations from commentators, interviews, and behind-the-scenes reports enrich the narrative, making these chronicles more tangible and closer to the viewer. This happens regardless of detailed technical knowledge of the game; it is enough to perceive the impact of each instant, such as the cheers of the crowd, the reactions of the competitors, and the emotion conveyed by the narrators, highlighting the most emotional aspect of the sport.
Professional esports players are more than just competitors; they often act as influencers, noted for their style, tactics, or simply their charisma. They build emotional bonds with the audience by following their journeys, rooting for their comebacks, and celebrating their achievements.
For those who do not play, this aspect serves as an entry point. Seeing a young person turn a hobby into a successful career, or hearing them on podcasts discussing the pressure and stress, can be more interesting than analyzing strategies or rankings. Understanding these professionals is enough to follow the scene, even without mastering the game's details.
Esports have established themselves as true cinematic spectacles, characterized by vibrant lights, grandiose presentations, and high-quality broadcasts. Such elements initially attract the audience, while the energy and emotion capture viewers, including on social media and streaming platforms.
Esports championships are highly accessible, mainly through platforms like YouTube and Twitch. This allows anyone to watch every moment for free and live. Furthermore, short content, such as TikTok clips and Instagram reels, promotes the best moments and tells the stories behind the teams.
It is not necessary to watch the entire broadcast to have fun. Many competitions produce specific videos for each match, influencers create analyses and highlights, and the teams themselves share their behind-the-scenes, goals, and inspirations. Thus, there is a vast amount of material, including short formats, focused on both the sporting and human aspects.
In terms of viewership, esports registered 640.8 million views in 2025, a significant increase compared to 435.7 million in 2020, representing a 47% growth. Specifically, the League of Legends World Championship 2025 reached a peak of 6,752,585 concurrent views and a total of 136,433,724 hours watched.
In-person numbers are also notable. The Esports World Cup 2025, held in Saudi Arabia, exceeded the mark of 100 thousand tickets sold, as did the event held in Paris that year. Moreover, the BLAST Austin Major 2025 (Counter-Strike) sold 70 thousand tickets in just six hours, attracting audiences from all over the United States. Globally, ticket sales generated $450 million in revenue, corresponding to 14% of the total global esports market revenue.
Esports demonstrate continuous growth and impressive figures. A key factor for this is the ability to present events that are not only grand but also engaging and charming. This illustrates that, more than an imposing vertical structure, the organic nature and the momentum of passionate communities are what truly drive esports and its events.
Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel of the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe team celebrated his victory on the podium after winning Stage 16 of the 113th Tour de France. The Olympic champion delivered an impressive performance in the 26.1 km individual time trial on Tuesday.
Evenepoel managed to significantly reduce Tadej Pogačar's overall lead. The 26-year-old Belgian beat the reigning champion Pogačar, who finished second, by 28 seconds over the stage route along Lake Geneva. All other participants finished more than a minute behind.
Third place was taken by Dane Mathias Skjelmose, finishing with a margin of 1 minute and 04 seconds. This outstanding performance by the world and Olympic champion in the time trial, held on Belgium's national holiday, allowed Evenepoel to reduce Pogačar's overall advantage to 4 minutes and 32 seconds.
Evenepoel noted the special nature of the event, saying: 'It's amazing, it was a very good time trial, there were many people on the roadside.' He also emphasized the significance of the moment, mentioning that his family was present, and added that winning on a national day is particularly important because 'Belgium hasn't won on National Day for a long time, so I am proud to be one of them.'
This victory marks the second consecutive stage won by Evenepoel, following his triumph on the mountainous Stage 15 on Sunday. Overall, this is his fourth win in the Tour de France and his third in time trials. Furthermore, he increased the gap to third place, held by Isaac Del Toro, by more than two minutes.
However, the day proved difficult for Evenepoel's teammate from Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe, Florian Lipovic. Two days after twice former winner Jonas Vingegaard withdrew from the race, holding second overall, the German Lipovic crashed heavily at a corner and was forced to leave the competition. Before the accident, he was in fifth place overall and set the fourth fastest time among the three intermediate checkpoints.
Minutes after the fall, Lipovic was transported by medical vehicle, holding his left arm. Evenepoel expressed sympathy for his teammate, stating: 'It's very unfortunate, it feels like a bitter pill to swallow with this victory, so I wish him all the best and hope everything is not too bad.'
It was reported that both Pogačar and Del Toro experienced excitement while passing the same corner where Lipovic fell, but they managed to stay upright.
From the start of the time trial, it was clear that Evenepoel was aiming for something special. When the top ten contenders started the race against the clock, Skjelmose set the fastest time, ahead of the others. Lipovic, Del Toro, and French teenager Paul Seix were only a few seconds behind at the three checkpoints.
But when Evenepoel passed the first checkpoint, it became clear that he was riding at a different pace. Only Pogačar could stay within reach, but he was seven seconds behind at the first checkpoint, while Skjelmose was 22 seconds behind. These gaps increased to 14 seconds and 56 seconds at the second checkpoint. It was on the climb of the course that Evenepoel managed to gain most of his time.
On the subsequent descent and flat section to the finish, he gained only eight seconds on Skjelmose, 10 seconds on Seix, and 13 seconds on Pogačar. Red Bull sporting director Klaas Lodewijk commented: 'I think it was a very good execution from start to finish; he had good control.' He also noted: 'It's mixed feelings. We are thrilled with Remco's victory, but Lipovic's loss is a serious blow to the team.'
