Morocco face France in the first World Cup quarter-final on Thursday, a match that carries immense significance for African football. Mohamed Ouahbi's side, the only African team in the last eight, are chasing a second consecutive semi-final appearance after their historic run in Qatar four years ago.
Morocco's Historic Achievements
Over the past six decades, Morocco have set several performance milestones for Africa at the World Cup. They were the first African country to qualify directly, for the 1970 finals in Mexico. In 1986, they became the first team from the continent to reach the last 16. Their semi-final run in 2022 was a breakthrough, and even if they lose to France, they have already made history as the first African team to reach the quarter-finals at successive World Cups.
“The general feeling, amongst Moroccans, is pride and contentment in this team,” says Amine El Amri, a football journalist based in Casablanca who has been observing fan attitudes. “The main goal before the competition was to reach the quarter-finals, given the context, given the change of manager, with the departure of Walid Regragui and the coming of Mohamed Ouahbi. I think the victory over the Netherlands cemented the reputation of Ouahbi as a trustworthy coach. Many doubts about him were cleared up after that match.”
Confidence Soaring After Wins
Morocco's performances have boosted national confidence. “Beating Canada in the way we did, despite having a very difficult first half, has also added to that confidence. You have to be in Casablanca, in Marrakech, in every city and little town, to just measure how happy people are [with the team]. Our Saturday night was crazy – no one slept,” El Amri added.
Morocco set a proud example for Africa as they await the clash with France, a team they defeated in the 2022 semi-final. The Atlas Lions will rely on their defensive solidity and counter-attacking prowess to overcome the defending champions.
What's at Stake
A win would make Morocco the first African team to reach back-to-back World Cup semi-finals, further cementing their legacy. France, meanwhile, aim to defend their title and advance to another semi-final. The match promises to be a tightly contested affair, with both teams boasting quality players and tactical discipline.
