The Morocco World Cup run in 2022 ended in a defeat to France. However, all of the African continent stood on their feet to clap for the exceptional performance of the Atlas Lion.
It is a journey that many thought was going to end faster. However, they surpassed many hurdles, beating world-class teams like Belgium, Spain, and Portugal to reach the 2022 World Cup semi-finals and becoming the first African team to do so.
Here are the facts you don’t know about Morocco and their World Cup run.
CAN vs MAR
The Canadian and Moroccan international teams had met twice in the space of six years, with the Canadian international team losing on two occasions to the Moroccan side.
The first meeting happened on October 11, 2016, with Morocco defeating Canada 4-0. The second meeting happened in the last World Cup, where Morocco defeated the Canadians 2-1 on December 1, 2022.
When is the Morocco Soccer World Cup?
On October 4, 2023, it was announced by FIFA that Morocco would be the second African country to host the World Cup after South Africa in 2010.
According to the football governing body, Morocco will be hosting the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
When is the next World Cup game?
The Atlas Lions are expected to start their 2026 World Cup qualifiers campaign against Eritrea on November 13, 2023, in Rabat.
The second fixture will be a match between Morocco and Tanzania on November 20, 2023.
Other Morocco World Cup qualifier fixtures are
1. Zambia vs. Morocco: June 3, 2024
2. Congo vs. Morocco: June 10, 2024
3. Niger vs. Morocco: March 17, 2025
4. Morocco vs. Tanzania: March 24, 2025
5. Morocco vs. Niger: September 1, 2025
6. Zambia vs. Morocco: September 8, 2025
7. Eriteria vs. Morocco: October 6, 2025
8. Morocco vs. Congo: October 13, 2025
Who colonized Morocco?
Morocco was colonized by France in 1912. Some parts of the country was also colonized by Spain. Since the country’s independence in 1956, it has maintained its relationship with France and Spain.
Why is Morocco MAR?
It is called MAR because of the influence of the French colonial master on the country. The French word for Morocco is called Maroe, and the abbreviation is MAR.
Since then, the country has been using it for sporting activities and as an official country code.
Morocco National Football Team
The country is nicknamed the Atlas Lions, which belong to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Morocco’s head coach is named Walid Regragui, and the longest-serving player in the country is Noureddine Naybet.
The Atlas Lions of Morocco are currently in 13th place in the latest FIFA ranking after their success at the 2022 World Cup, where the North African country finished in fourth place.
The first international match for the North African side happened on October 19, 1957, when Morocco and Iraq played a 3-3 draw.
Morocco’s biggest win came against Saudi Arabia on September 6, 1961, when the Atlas Lions defeated Saudi Arabia 13-1.
However, Morocco’s heaviest defeat happened on October 11, 1964, when they were defeated by Hungary 6-0.
The country won the Africa Nations Cup in 1976 and the Arab Cup in 2012. They also participated in the World Cup six times.
Morocco were the first African team to reach the knockout stage of the World Cup in 1986, but they were sent packing by West Germany. They also became the first African country to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2022.
Morocco national Team vs France national team Line Up
France: Lloris (c); Kounde, Varane, Konate, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Fofana; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud.
Morocco: Bounou; El Yamiq, Saiss (c), Aguerd; Hakimi, Ounahi, Amrabat, Mazraoui; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
