As we head into the quarterfinals of the Fifa World Cup 2026, Morocco carries the flag and the hopes of not just a whole nation, but a continent and a region.
This has been a historic tournament for many reasons. For the first time, eight Arab teams qualified for the World Cup: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.
Morocco’s victory against co-hosts Canada meant they became the first African and Arab country to reach this stage of the tournament in consecutive editions. The Atlas Lions were also the first Arab side to progress beyond the group stage, which they did in Mexico in 1986.
In the 2022 World Cup, the North African side stunned observers by reaching the semi-finals and finishing fourth overall.
The other nations, to varying degrees, have also made their mark on the biggest sporting stage in the world. The power of this representation - at what is expected to be the most-watched sporting event in history - cannot be understated.
