A stark cybersecurity report from Kaspersky and INTERPOL has revealed that Morocco was subjected to a massive wave of cyberattacks during its hosting of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). The investigation found that over 2.1 million digital identities, including sensitive passwords and login credentials, were compromised and are now being circulated on dark web forums.
A Multi-Pronged Attack on Fans
The attacks were strategically coordinated to exploit the heightened digital traffic and fan enthusiasm surrounding the major football tournament. Hackers deployed a sophisticated, multi-pronged strategy that included fraudulent ticketing websites, fake streaming links, and counterfeit mobile applications, all designed to harvest personal data from unsuspecting fans.
A significant portion of the data theft was executed using advanced “infostealer” malware. Malicious software such as Lumma, RedLine, and Vidar were used to silently infect user devices, allowing attackers to scrape banking details, browser cookies, and other critical personal information.
Beyond Financial Gain The Rise of Hacktivism
The report, conducted under the international Project Stadia initiative, also highlighted a significant surge in “hacktivism” during the event. Security analysts tracked nearly 300 distinct messages inciting Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks and the defacement of official websites, indicating motives beyond simple financial fraud.
A Critical Stress Test Ahead of World Cup 2030
This large-scale digital onslaught is being widely interpreted as a critical “stress test” for Morocco’s national cybersecurity infrastructure. As the nation prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup 2030, the incident underscores the growing importance of digital sovereignty and robust cyber defenses as a vital component of successfully hosting major global events.
About Project Stadia
Project Stadia is an initiative established by INTERPOL to help member countries plan and execute policing and security preparations for major international events. It aims to create a Centre of Excellence and a global network of law enforcement and security experts to ensure safety and security at large-scale sporting events.
Source: MEA TechWatch
