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Rabat – Soft drinks manufacturer Pepsi has chosen Morocco’s Red City – Marrakech – to film its advertising campaign for the upcoming 2022 world cup, which will take place in Qatar between November 21 and December 18.
A video that has been making the rounds on the internet in the past few days features behind-the-scenes shots of Pepsi’s campaign.
The video shows young men performing football stunts, wearing the kits of some of the teams set to participate in the world cup with Pepsi’s logo; the young men were notably shown wearing the kit of Argentina’s Lionel Messi, as well as that of France’s Paul Pogba and Brazil’s Ronaldinho.
Pepsi is expected to release the advertising video in the coming days, weeks ahead of the Qatar World Cup’s kick off date.
Many attributed the choice of Marrakech’s old medina to its similarities with the old town of Doha, Qatar.
The video prompted differing reactions among Moroccan social media users, with some viewing the advertising campaign as a publicity stunt for Marrakech and Morocco as a tourist and shooting destination.
Others, however, accused the 2022 Qatar World Cup of appropriating Morocco’s heritage and presenting it as Qatari heritage.
“Morocco is being subjected to a huge theft in all aspects of its heritage. The entire world will watch the World Cup and attribute all our cultural heritage to Qatar,” a Moroccan social media user said on Twitter.
Read also: Morocco’s Yassine Bounou Named Second Best African Goalkeeper
In April, many Moroccans accused FIFA of similar acts during the World Cup draw ceremony. During the ceremony, the federation decorated the stage in Qatar with a huge golden gate with a mosaic identical to that of Fes’ royal palace.
Thanks to its varied landscapes, including deserts and mountains, Morocco has in recent decades become an attractive tourist and shooting destination.
Marrakech’s mystic vibes and old medina made for the perfect cinematography for the theme of 2022 Qatar World Cup.
The 2022 World Cup will see the participation of Morocco, which will compete in Group F alongside Canada, Belgium, and Croatia.
