Morocco became the first African nation to secure a semi-final berth at a World Cup after they beat Portugal in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute to continue Morocco’s improbable run. Their performances have generated an outpouring of pride in the Arab world during the first World Cup to be staged in the Middle East.
No side has managed to score a goal against Morocco in the World Cup. They have, however, scored an own-goal in the group stages against Canada.
Morocco had already taken the scalps of Belgium and Spain in this tournament, but the win over Portugal is of much greater significance as they became the first African side to advance to this stage for the competition.
Currently, only five African teams qualify for the world’s biggest spectacular but as of 2026, at least, nine African teams will make it to the 48-teams World Cup to be staged in Canada, The USA & Mexico. Morocco’s exploits in Qatar will definitely give more African nations a chance to regroup and relook at their player born in the diaspora.
Morocco will face yet another European country in the semis in France and will not be frightened as 20 of the 26 players in their World Cup squad ply their trade in European leagues.
Fourteen of the 26 players are born in Europe. Six of the 26-man squad are 30 and above. Five are of age 23 and below. Fifteen are between 24 & 29. Fifteen of the 26 play in the European top 5 leagues. Only 3 players play in the Moroccan league and are current CAF Champions League holders, together with the coach, Walid Regragui.
The future of this Moroccan squad is bright, and as they are the current CHAN squad, they are going to continue to be exemplary on the world stage for all to see.
