Rabat – Morocco’s participation in the success of the 2022 World Cup went beyond its Atlas Lions making history by becoming the first Arab-speaking and African team to advance to the semifinals of the global tournament.
Off the football pitch, the North African nation contributed significantly to the smooth organization of the 2022 World Cup through its security cooperation with Qatar, the appointment of a Moroccan as FIFA’s Creative Entertainment Executive, Moroccan singers featuring in FIFA’s official anthem and closing ceremony, and the designation of Moroccan supporters as the tournament’s 12th player.
Moroccan security expertise
Abdellatif Hammouchi, the head of Morocco’s General Directorate for National Security and Territorial Surveillance (DGSN-DGST) at the Lusail Iconic Stadium
Prior to the World Cup, Morocco and Qatar signed an agreement to increase security cooperation, exchange intelligence, and ensure the safety of spectators at the world’s largest sporting event, reported beIN sports on October 2.
As part of the security cooperation agreement with Qatar, Morocco sent thousands of law enforcement agents to contribute to the event’s security.
Also ahead of the start of the global tournament, Morocco and Qatar expanded their security cooperation to include cybersecurity. At Qatar’s request, a Moroccan team of cybersecurity agents visited the country in May to help tighten security at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, where the World Cup’s final was played.
According to converging reports, Qatari officials have praised Morocco’s security efforts and expressed their sincere gratitude for the exceptional security support and high levels of coordination the North African kingdom provided, saying the support helped ensure a safe environment for the international sporting event.
A Moroccan Creative Entertainment Executive at FIFA
RedOne and FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino
Morocco’s Nadir Khayat, better known by his stage name RedOne, a multi-Grammy winning producer joined FIFA as a Creative Entertainment Executive in December 2021.
RedOne produced the first track from the Qatar 2022 official soundtrack titled “Hayya Hayya” (Better Together), released by Def Jam Recordings, featuring Nigerian singer Davido, Qatari artist Aisha, and American rapper Trinidad Cardona. The track has over 71 M views on Youtube.
RedOne also produced “Light The Sky,” the official anthem of 2022’s Qatar World Cup.
The song features four Arab Women, two of whom are of Moroccan descent, including Moroccan stars Manal Benchlikha and Nora Fatehi, as well as Emirati singer Balqees Fathi and Iraqi artist Rahma Riad.
There was a great deal of enthusiasm among Arab fans about the song’s selection of singers, and many commented on social media platforms praising the “power of Arab women.”
Read Also: FIFA Releases New World Cup Song Featuring Nora Fatehi and Manal Benchlikha
Moroccan female artists steal the show at the FIFA closing ceremony
Manal Benchlikha and Nora Fatehi.
Prior to the tournament’s final between France and Argentina on Sunday, Moroccan performers Nora Fatehi and Manal Benchlikha performed in the FIFA World Cup closing ceremony.
In an all-female lineup, the duo performed “Light The Sky,” the official soundtrack of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Manal Benchlikha, a well-known Moroccan rapper, rose to prominence in the male-dominated rap scene by incorporating Moroccan culture and addressing social issues in her music.
Meanwhile, Moroccan-Canadian Bollywood actress Nora Fatehi, never misses an opportunity to celebrate her Moroccan heritage.
12th Player
Moroccans celebrating the Atlas Lions’ victory in the World Cup
Moroccan fans showed incredible support for the Atlas Lions throughout their historic World Cup journey. They thronged the streets and cafes of Qatar throughout the tournament, wearing national team jerseys and waving Moroccan flags, shouting and chanting in celebration.
Meanwhile, Atlas Lions’ supporters in the stadiums during their team’s matches also electrified the atmosphere, chanting “Siir, Siir” (Go, Go!).
FIFA referred to Moroccan supporters as the “12th man” in the Atlas Lions’ team and stressed that they played an important role in their country’s victories during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“Having come by the thousands to Qatar to encourage their heroes, they [Moroccan supporters] have always been present, and have never been at fault,” Morocco’s news agency quoted FIFA as saying. “They sang tirelessly…, pushing behind their favorites.”
Making Africans and Arabs Dream
Global, Arab, and African unity during the World Cup
In Qatar, the Atlas Lions became the first African team and the first Arabic-speaking country to reach the World Cup semi-finals. Morocco’s national football team defied all expectations and eliminated some of the tournament’s early favorites, including Belgium, the second-best team in the world according to FIFA.
The historic achievement of “Africa’s most successful” team, as FIFA has called the Atlas Lions, is expected to considerably impact the future of Moroccan, African, and Arab football, encouraging the underdog teams to dream and set themselves of ending the European and South American dominance over the World Cup.
“Millions, not just in Morocco, but around the world, have been inspired by the Atlas Lions. They are incredibly skilled athletes and exemplary sportsmen,’’ tweeted the US ambassador to Morocco.
Millions, not just in Morocco, but around the world, have been inspired by the Atlas Lions. They are incredibly skilled athletes and exemplary sportsmen. They can hold their heads high. We’ll be cheering for them Saturday.
— USAmbMorocco (@USAmbMorocco) December 14, 2022
Read Also: Morocco’s World Cup Legacy: The Gift of Dreaming
