Rabat – This year’s FIFA Club World Cup opening ceremony started with a stunning display of Morocco’s openness to the world, with multiple performances reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage.
The ceremony started with a short scene narrating the story of Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta, whose life passion reflects Morocco’s long-standing openness to the world.
Stage of the opening ceremony at the Ibn Battuta Stadium in Tangier
A number of traditional performances ensued showcasing the country’s diverse cultural mix, featuring iconic Amazigh music, Jebala music, Aissaoua, and Sahrawi music on a list of 12 performances each reflecting the culture of Morocco’s 12 provinces.
In the second part of the show, Moroccan rapper Dzdross took to the stage to deliver his famous “L’kora 7na Maliha,” a song that celebrates Morocco’s historic World Cup run in Qatar.
Paying tribute to Football legend Pele at the opening ceremony
The third part of the ceremony featured Morocco’s national football team Walid Regragui, who delivered a short speech paying tribute to the departed football legend Pele, and recalled Morocco’s historic performance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The opening ceremony took place in the Ibn Battuta Stadium in Tangier and was followed by the first game in the tournament at 8 p.m Morocco time.
Today’s match between Egyptian club Al Ahly, and New Zealand’s Auckland City will determine who faces Seattle Sounders at Tangier’s Ibn Batouta Stadium at 18:30 local time on February 4.
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