Strugglers no more: Morocco fans brimming with pride at being part of World Cup elite

Morocco fans gathered in Boston are brimming with pride, asserting that the days of their national football team being mere "strugglers" are long gone. The Atlas Lions, surprise semi-finalists in the 2022 World Cup and now ranked seventh globally, are setting new standards. Supporters believe Morocco's presence among the world's elite is now the norm, with many players featuring for top European clubs.

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To get to the World Cup used to be an achievement. Now there is no big difference with Germany, France, Spain. Now it's going to be every time that you see Morocco in the World Cup.

Supporters like Oussama Khatem, a 35-year-old financial crime investigator, note the shift in expectations. "Now there is no big difference with Germany, France, Spain. Now it's going to be every time that you see Morocco in the World Cup," he said. This elevated status, he explained, is a result of both foreign-born talent and the establishment of the Mohammed VI Football Academy in 2010, a period when Morocco's football standing was at its lowest.

Morocco's resurgence, marked by their 2018 World Cup return and the stunning 2022 run where they defeated Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, has inspired other nations. "Morocco is showing to all African countries, to all countries, that they can make it into the top four," Khatem added. Moussin Muslih, 52, who traveled from Morocco, expressed confidence in the team's continued success, hoping for another "amazing run" in the current tournament.

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Morocco is showing to all African countries, to all countries, that they can make it into the top four.

The future also looks bright, with Morocco co-hosting the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Spain. The recent under-20 World Cup win further signals a promising new generation of talent ready to shine on home soil.

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We hope that this World Cup will be another amazing run, Inshallah (God willing).