Winter Swimming: Morocco, the First Arab and African Nation to Compete in the World Championships
Morocco Achieves a Historic Milestone as the First Arab and African Nation to Officially Participate in the World Winter Swimming Championships
Morocco has entered a new chapter by becoming the first Arab and African nation to officially participate in the World Winter Swimming Championships, set to take place from March 1 to 8, 2026, in Oulu, Finland, under the aegis of the International Winter Swimming Association (IWSA).
This participation is part of an ambitious strategy aimed at promoting and structuring winter swimming in Morocco, as highlighted in a statement from the Royal Moroccan Swimming Federation.
The Moroccan delegation brings together swimmers from various regions across the Kingdom, including Laâyoune, Fès, Casablanca, Rabat, El Jadida, and Marrakech. This diverse representation underscores a strong territorial presence and a commitment to integrating this discipline into the national sporting landscape.
Beyond athletic performance, this participation reflects Morocco’s ambition to diversify its areas of excellence and to engage in demanding international platforms, according to the same source.
In Oulu, Morocco’s aspirations are carried by its champion, Mohamed Manfaloti, a prominent figure in both national and international winter swimming. Already a world champion and Moroccan champion, Manfaloti is recognized for his discipline, consistency, and ability to perform under extreme conditions. His international experience and understanding of specific protocols for swimming in icy waters offer a strategic advantage to the delegation. In Oulu, he aims for a benchmark performance that will solidify Morocco’s standing among the global elite in this discipline.
The delegation, led by Fairouz Chbani, president of the Winter Swimming Morocco Association, is responsible for the logistical and administrative aspects of this participation between the two countries, ensuring optimal conditions for the athletes in a particularly demanding climate.
This inaugural participation necessitated coordination between Moroccan authorities and Finnish organizers to showcase the Kingdom among the 50 nations represented at the event, the statement adds.
By also competing, Fairouz Chbani becomes one of the first Moroccan women to engage at this level in the discipline, illustrating the progress of Moroccan women’s sports in endurance and extreme disciplines.
“Our presence in Oulu goes beyond athletics. It embodies an ambition: to showcase Morocco’s colors where we are least expected and pave the way for other athletes ready to take on international challenges,” Chbani stated in the release.
Through this historic participation, Morocco asserts its capability to explore new sports territories and to sustainably enhance its international influence. This first appearance marks a pivotal step in the development of winter swimming in Morocco and opens the path for a long-term strategy for global presence in the sport.
