Rabat – FIFA said Moroccan fans have played a vital role in their national team’s victories during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, calling the spectators the “12th man” in the Atlas Lions’ team.
“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.”
FIFA also considered that Morocco’s squad is not short of talented players, technical competence, or tactical excellence, noting that several players in the team play in some of Europe’s top clubs.
Morocco’s national team won their group in the World Cup’s group stage, managing to gain seven points from a goalless draw with Croatia, a 2-0 victory against Belgium, and a 2-1 win against Canada.
They will face Spain in the round of 16, where Walid Regragui and his men aim to make history and surprise audiences again to become the first Moroccan team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.
Morocco’s squad also comes with memories of the last World Cup match between the two nations in 2018, where the Atlas Lions managed to hold the Matadores to a 2-2 draw. The match also became controversial for its refereeing after Spain was granted the late equalizer goal despite claims that it was offside.
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