France knocked Morocco out of the World Cup four years ago. The upcoming match between France and Morocco isn’t just another World Cup quarter-final. For many Moroccan fans, it represents unfinished business. On Thursday in Boston, the two nations will meet again.
Four years ago, France ended Morocco’s extraordinary World Cup run in Qatar. This result saw them knock out the first African and Arab nation ever to reach a World Cup semi-final. This time, Morocco are not returning as football’s dreamers. Instead, they are returning believing they belong at this level.
The Quest for ‘Revenge’
Moroccan sports journalist Hamza Chtioui states: “This is a revenge match for the Moroccan national team.” He specifically highlights the sentiments of the players involved. “Especially for the players who were part of that 2022 squad,” Chtioui explains. “They felt that loss deeply, and now they’re looking to settle the score – for themselves and for the team.”
France secured a 2-0 victory against Morocco in the World Cup semi-final in 2022. Despite the defeat that night inside Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar, there was a sense that something extraordinary had transpired. Morocco had fundamentally changed the way the football world viewed them.
Hamza Chtioui reflects on the contrasting expectations. “In 2022 we were the dreamers,” he notes. “Now people’s expectations are much higher.” Chtioui adds that “anything less than the semi-finals wouldn’t be considered an achievement” for the current squad. This present confidence is not merely built on nostalgia.
Strategic Investment Bearing Fruit
Since their memorable run in Qatar, Morocco’s Under-20 side has achieved success by winning the Under-20 World Cup. Concurrently, the senior national team has ascended to sixth in Fifa’s global rankings. These developments demonstrate how the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s (RMFF) long-term investment in youth development is starting to yield results.
Veteran Moroccan journalist Hameed Bel Hassan asserts that “what happened in Qatar wasn’t a fluke.” He explains that the progress was “the result of years of strategic planning and programmes put in place by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.” Bel Hassan underscores this as a “national project,” adding: “We now have a formidable national team.”
Morocco have consistently presented themselves as solid contenders throughout this current tournament. They have demonstrated their ability to stand up to some of world football’s heavyweights. This has been achieved with a combination of confidence, discipline, and belief.
Path to the Quarter-Finals
The team held Brazil in an earlier fixture. Following this, they went on to secure victories against Scotland, the Netherlands, and Canada. This impressive sequence of results has now set up their anticipated rematch with France in the quarter-finals.
The faith in this Moroccan team is described as deep by Hamza Chtioui. He reports that “flights full of supporters coming from Morocco to the United States” are a testament to this. Furthermore, Chtioui notes that “Moroccans from around the world have travelled to follow the team.” He confidently states: “I dare say Morocco will have the stronger support” in the upcoming game.
Facing the French Challenge
France, despite Morocco’s resurgence, remain perhaps the tournament’s most complete side. They boast Kylian Mbappe, who leads one of the world’s most talented squads. Les Bleus have advanced to the quarter-finals having played some of the tournament’s most fluid football.
Hamza Chtioui acknowledges France’s individual strengths. He admits: “Individually they’re stronger.” However, Chtioui identifies a potential area of parity, stating: “But Morocco’s midfield is about equal.” He suggests that “if they can press France early, like they did against Brazil, they can create problems.”
The quarter-final encounter on Thursday in Boston places Morocco against a formidable French team. Morocco enter the match with elevated expectations and a belief in their belonging at the top tier of international football.