“This is football — no excuses”: Morocco disappointed at falling below expectations
BOSTON: When Morocco left Qatar in 2022, they did so as heroes, having become the first African and Arab side to reach a World Cup semifinal. Four years later in the US, this time in the quarterfinals, they have lost to France 2-0 once again.
Same opponent, same result. Yet it is testament to Morocco’s journey that this felt less like glorious overachievement and more like a painful reminder of how much expectations have risen.
Moroccan coach Mohamed Ouahbi had led his country’s under-20s to World Cup glory in Chile last year, overcoming France en route. Yet despite coming into Thursday’s match unbeaten in his 10 games at the helm of the senior team — and speaking openly about leaving North America as champions — his players never looked like hurting a France side every bit as formidable as their favorites tag suggests.
Professional football has only existed in Morocco since 1996, more than two decades after the country became just the second Arab nation to appear at a World Cup.
