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The New York Times is now among the international news outlets impressed by the progress of football in Morocco – particularly the national women’s team.
On Sunday, the outlet featured the Atlas Lionesses’ journey to the Women World Cup, becoming the first team from North Africa and the first from a majority Arab nation to make it to the tournament.
The New York Times acknowledged that Morocco’s women football earned more visibility during the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which took place last year in Morocco.
The Atlas Lionesses made stellar performances during the continental tournament, which helped them qualify for the World Cup for the first time in Morocco’s history.
The performances also helped them to be more known among Moroccan fans.
“As it posted win after win… the country’s stadiums started to fill with fans, many of them seeing the team play for the first time,” the NYT said.
The newspaper attributed the progress of women’s football to Morocco’s government investments, seeking to unearth Moroccan talents from different cities but also from the Moroccan diaspora.
The Atlas Lionesses’ first World Cup game will take place at 9:30 a.m. Moroccan time on Monday, with many fans counting on the national team to turn in a strong performance against Germany in their first group-stage game.
The Atlas Lioness’ coach Reynald Pedros said in a recent press conference that the team will be inspired by the achievement of men’s head coach Walid Regragui and his team.
He said that Regragui was keen to motivate the players before their trip to Australia to achieve positive results.
“The national team does not suffer any pressure in the face of the German national team, because it focuses on its potential and capabilities and will work to present the best possible picture of Moroccan women’s football,” Pedros said.
Fans are hoping for victories similar to what Moroccans experienced during the men’s World Cup in December 2022 in Qatar.
Morocco finished as a semi-finalist in the competition, becoming the first Arab and African country to do so, and knocking out several football powerhouses in the process.
