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Rabat – Morocco’s national football team faced an unusual delay before their group-stage match against Comoros in the Arab Cup 2025, held in Qatar.
The team bus arrived late at the stadium due to an administrative issue involving two players.
Organizers discovered just before kickoff that defender Marouane Louadni (AS FAR Rabat) and forward Tarik Tissoudali (Khor Fakkan, UAE) had entered Qatar using tourist visas instead of the official “Hayya” permits required for players and staff.
Without the correct accreditation, they were not listed on the official match roster. The organizing committee quickly worked to fix the issue, arranging special transport for the players once the proper documents were issued.
However, the Moroccan delegation refused to head to the stadium without them. The team insisted on traveling together in the official bus, as is standard practice in international competitions.
This decision caused the squad to arrive later than expected, raising concerns about their preparation.
Despite the disruption, Morocco remained focused. The Atlas Lions went on to deliver a strong performance, defeating Comoros 3–1. The victory gave them a crucial start in the tournament, demonstrating resilience and unity in the face of off-field challenges.
It is also worth noting that this is not the first time Moroccan football has faced organizational problems in Qatar.
During the FIFA U‑17 World Cup 2025, Morocco’s youth team lost 2–1 to Brazil in the quarterfinals, but the match was overshadowed by serious logistical issues.
Fans were blocked from re‑entering the stadium after halftime despite holding valid tickets, and the small venue of only 1,500 seats led to overcrowding and clashes with security.
These problems left many supporters frustrated and raised questions about Qatar’s readiness to host major tournaments.
Looking ahead, Morocco will continue their campaign with confidence, determined to build on this opening win.
Their next opponents are Oman and Saudi Arabia, matches that will be crucial for securing qualification.
Fans and officials alike hope that the administrative problems seen against Comoros will not be repeated, ensuring that the team can focus entirely on performance on the pitch.
