Morocco becomes only MENA team to advance in World Cup
Spain is the next opponent for Morocco, whose team comprises many players from Europe of Moroccan heritage. The team has also used their performance in Doha to display pro-Palestine solidarity.
Morocco’s strong World Cup run will continue in the round of 16 this week.
Morocco tied with Croatia in its first match at the World Cup in Doha before defeating both Belgium and Canada. Morocco ended up winning Group F and thereby advanced to the round of 16, along with Group F runner-up Croatia.
This is only the second time in history that Morocco has advanced beyond the Group stage, and the first time since 1986.
Many of Morocco’s players are from Europe but have Moroccan heritage. Stars Achraf Hakimi and Sofiane Boufal are from Spain and France, respectively. Among the players who scored goals in the Group stage, all but one are from Europe: Romain Saiss is from France, while Hakim Ziyech and Zakaria Aboukhlal are from the Netherlands. Youssef En-Nesyri, on the other hand, is from the Moroccan city of Fez.
