Football (soccer) is the world’s most popular sport. And as you might expect, it has a significant impact on cultures all around the world. Morocco is no exception. This blog post will explore football’s influence on Moroccan culture and how the country’s national team is shaping up for the 2018 World Cup. We will also look at some key players and what to expect from them in Russia this summer.
Morocco’s National Team
Morocco’s National Team is one of the most successful sides in Africa and the Arab World, having amassed 63 medals, including 41 golds. The country’s first international football match was played on November 1, 1923, against Algeria, and since then, it has competed in several ornaments across the continent and worldwide.
The National Team’s Recent Results
Since the Morocco national football team gained independence from France in 1963, they have had a turbulent history. The team has undergone many changes in its coaching staff and organization since its early days, but they have remained a prominent force in African football.
In recent years, Morocco has made significant progress at the international level. In 2006, the team qualified for the World Cup for the first time, and they advanced to the second round before being eliminated by Brazil. They also made it to the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2007 and 2013.
This year, Morocco was again successful internationally as they made it to the Africa Cup of Nations semifinals, where they lost to the Ivory Coast. They also qualified for their fourth World Cup appearance in 2018, which takes place in Russia this year.
Players on the Moroccan National Football Team
Morocco achieved their first official international victory in September 2014, when it defeated Mauritania 3-1 in the 2014 WAFU Nations Cup. Nigeria then eliminated them in the quarterfinals.
In the 2015 CAF Confederation Cup, Morocco reached the semifinal stage before being eliminated by Ghana. In the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, they finished as runners-up to Equatorial Guinea after a 0-0 draw at home and a 1-1 away result. However, this was enough for them to qualify for their second consecutive African Cup of Nations.
In the 2018 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Morocco lost 1-0 to Cape Verde but managed to force a playoff against Tunisia; They won 2-1 on aggregate to qualify for their fourth Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Morocco won all four games at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and secured their place at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. They began their campaign with a 2-0 win over Mali on 9 January 2019.
The Morocco National Football Team’s Future
Looking ahead to the future of Morocco’s national football team, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to remember that the Moroccan team comprises semi-professional players, which means some performance inconsistencies. Youth development is also important as the country looks to build a strong national squad for years to come.
One player who could impact the Moroccan team in the future is striker Khairat El Hajj. The 21-year-old has been impressive for his club side Wydad Casablanca and was recently called to Morocco’s senior squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament. If he can continue playing at this level, he could be a huge asset for Morocco.
Additionally, as Morocco looks to improve its overall performance, it will be important for them to learn from its mistakes and capitalize on opportunities when they arise. In recent years, Morocco has had difficulties scoring goals, which has cost them repeatedly in tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations. However, if they can solve their goal problem and take advantage of their chances when they present themselves, they may make real progress over the next few years.
Conclusion
Morocco is known for its stunning architecture, diverse culture, and passionate football fans. The Moroccan national football team has been competing at the international level for many years and has made impressive progress. Morocco currently holds four World Cup qualifying spots, so don’t be surprised if you see them fighting it out in Russia’s next World Cup tournament. If you’re interested in learning more about this vibrant country and its team, check out our articles on Morocco tourism and Moroccan food!