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From Doha to Dar es Salaam and from Casablanca to London, Morocco’s World Cup run has captured the imagination and sparked euphoric celebrations.
The Atlas Lions campaign has galvanized not just a nation and a continent, but masses of people united by shared beliefs.
His moments have been moments for Africa, for the Arab world, for the Muslim population and beyond.
Morocco fans will be out in force in London when they play in the World Cup semi-final.
The country became the first African World Cup semifinalist by beating Portugal last week.
“We are very proud to be Moroccan,” says Abdeslam Aarab, who runs a Moroccan cafe in west London. ‘The whole community has come together. For a moment, forget the cold and the difficulties. Still, our people will come together to support Morocco. There is no obstacle that stops us because this love comes from the heart. This is what the Ummah (community) is all about.
‘If one celebrates, the others celebrate. If one is upset, then we are all upset. We feel together. You see the support for Morocco all over the world. Its beautiful.’
On Wednesday night, with temperatures below freezing in London, they will congregate again to watch the first African or Arab country play in a World Cup semi-final. There will be Moroccans, of course. But just as in the parts of Doha that have become more like Marrakech to support Walid Regragui’s side, Ghanaians, Algerians and Lebanese will also rally. For Morocco, the campaign represents joy and relatability for a broader community connected by their collective values, be it gestures, language, clothing or their way of life.
Now they are set to take on reigning world champions France in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
The streets of London will become pockets of Casablanca as Morocco bids for its biggest head of hair yet.
Their run to the semifinals has brought joy and familiarity to a larger community.
Millions of viewers around the world on Wednesday night understand what this side of Morocco stands for. His prayers reflect the all-consuming role of religion in the Arab world.
Seeing the mothers of Achraf Hakimi, Sofiane Boufal and Regragui in traditional clothing, embracing their children, may be commonplace in family homes, but such visibility in front of a global audience of billions was something else entirely.
“On a political and popular level too, there has been a huge amount of support and people have found happiness in that,” says Maher Mezahi, an Algerian football journalist.
“They have almost rediscovered the notion of Arab unity that had been arguably lost.”
Before the World Cup, Regragui’s mother had never left Paris, let alone France. Regragui, a former Moroccan right-back, faces his native country tonight for a place in the World Cup final with a squad of which 14 were born outside of Morocco.
Only four of Morocco’s starting eleven against Portugal in the quarter-finals were born in the country.
The story of this squad is one of people who left home for an opportunity and faced difficulties of identity.
The story of this squad is one of people who have left home for an opportunity and therefore face challenges about their identity. “Today we have shown that every Moroccan is Moroccan,” Regragui said after his team defeated Spain in the round of 16.
“When he gets to the national team he wants to die, he wants to fight. As a coach, I was born in France, but no one can have my heart for my country.’
The Morocco journey also represents something bigger than the game: it celebrates culture and heritage at a time when immigrants from around the world perhaps struggle to do so.
The success of the Atlas Lions has transcended physical borders. Such is the nature of its global support that, in Doha, it has sometimes felt as if Morocco, not Qatar, were hosting this World Cup.
And even if England is out, the streets of London and cities across the country will become the spotlights of Casablanca and Rabat on Wednesday night. That is not to ignore English society and the experiences it has provided. Rather, it is a means for immigrant communities to express an authentic and integral part of their identity through the power of soccer.
If they win against France on Wednesday, there will be massive celebrations around the world.
“These moments are great, but we are here to change the mentality,” goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, known as Bono, said after the win over Portugal. ‘This feeling of inferiority, we have to get rid of it. The generation that comes after us will know that we can create miracles.’
Mezahi adds: ‘Listen to them talk. Not only Morocco but the rest of the African nations. We have had players reach the zenith of world football in recent decades. We no longer have that inferiority complex. And that’s really a recent change in mindset.
Perhaps dismantling that inferiority complex is the main story of Morocco’s fairytale run, regardless of Wednesday’s result against France, and arguably why their underdog journey matters to so many around the world.