Morocco at heart of football decolonization
Qatar 2022 World Cup is exceptional! No football tournament has stirred such a controversy and no football tournament has seen such a performance by an African country that relies on its national coach to hold well-ranking teams to a tough test making it to the quarter finals.
Moroccans, Arabs and also many Muslims and peoples of the global south see Morocco’s qualification to the round of 8 as a chance to free football of the domination of Western countries.
No team from outside of Europe or Latin America has ever made it to the final of the world cup let alone to win the cup but in Qatar people started to think that probably it is time to believe in Africa!
“We’re African, too,” said Walid Regragui Moroccan coach, “we want to fly the flag for African football.”
“African football is often dismissed as mediocre but, at this World Cup, I think we have shown that we can make life difficult for anybody,” he continued.
Morocco’s win was met with applause from Africa and the Arab world but also from many Muslim states and countries of the global south.
“The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has been a dream come true for the Atlas Lions,” commented the FIFA in an article posted on its website.
Global media echoed Morocco’s win with headlines that show the scale of global reactions.
“Africa and the Middle East united behind Morocco,” wrote DW, while Reuters “Arab world rejoices as Morocco reach World Cup quarter-final.”
For German sports magazine Sportschau, Morocco, which beat Spain on Tuesday night in a penalty shootout thanks to the “smiling goalkeeper” Yassine Bounou, is “undoubtedly” the big surprise of the 2022 World Cup.
Morocco, after topping Group F in front of Croatia and Belgium, then eliminating Spain, is becoming another favorite to win the world crown, notes the German magazine.
The international media also commented on the Moroccan fans, who were up to 30,000, making every World Cup match a home game. It’s no wonder Morocco is so impressive at the World Cup. “With such passionate fans, it’s hard to lose,” the magazine states.
The win was also for Qatar to celebrate after the country resisted fierce Western campaigns including on some groups’ intent on conflating LGBT messages and politics with football.
“This was a historic day for Morocco, for Africa, for Arabs and for Muslims. The Atlas Lions had roared to stun 2010 World Cup winner Spain and reach the quarterfinals of Qatar 2022,” wrote CNN on its website.
The Washington Post was more interested in football nationalism and noted the high number of African players who decided to play for the team of their parents or the team of their heart!
“We all talk about the European teams, the South American teams, but I hope that, in future, we’ll see more places for African teams. So why not? Why couldn’t an African country win the World Cup?” said Walid Regragui
