Morocco, when blood calls

In each world Cup there is always a revelation team. During Qatar 2022 that label has earned it Morocco with profit. The African squad became the new giant killer of the competition. First he did it by leaving Belgium out in the group stage, third place in Russia 2018 and number two in the FIFA ranking. Their next victim was Spain (South Africa 2010 monarch) in the round of 16, an achievement that places them among the eight best teams in the tournament. An achievement that has already marked a milestone in the annals of Moroccan football.

Leaving aside their defensive qualities or their excellent counterattack efficiency, this team is characterized by two very striking extra-soccer events. The first is related to the roots of its 26 footballers, leaving the youth of the only African representative in the 2022 World Cup on a second scale.

Of the 32 participants in this championship, the ‘Atlas Lions’ are the squad with the largest number of footballers who were born outside Moroccan territory. They have 14 ‘foreigners’, who came to this world in countries like France, Spain, Canada, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium.

Yassine Bounou

The great star in the penalty shootout against Spain records Montreal, Canada on his birth certificate. His family is Moroccan and they migrated to the country of the maple leaf because his father got a job as a university professor of physics. However, the family of the Sevilla goalkeeper returned to Casablanca (capital of Morocco) when he was three years old. This is because his mother never adapted to North American lands.

His relationship with the national team began in the Under 20 and Under 23 teams. His debut with the senior team came in a preparatory duel against Burkina Faso. To date he has accumulated 34 games in all kinds of tournaments, being a 100% starter.

Achraf Hakimi

The Moroccan star’s family is part of the list of migrants who, during the 1990s, sought new opportunities on Spanish soil. Her parent was a street vendor, while her mother cleaned houses for a living. In this context, Hakimi came into this world in Getafe, a Spanish municipality in the Community of Madrid.

He had the opportunity to represent the ‘Red Fury’. The Royal Spanish Federation had him in their sights from a very young age. He was quoted by Luis de la Fuente, but it did not last long. He pointed out that he did not feel comfortable. Not feeling the Arab culture inside the locker room ended up weighing down not to continue.

Romain Saiss

The man who wears the captain’s ribbon in Morocco was born in the French commune of Bourg-de-Péage. His father is Moroccan, but because of his profession, soccer, he had to settle in French territory. There he met what would be the mother of the Besiktas defender, who brings him the blood of the European country. It is one of the few cases where both parents do not come from the African nation.

He has been with the ‘Mechanical Camel’ for more than one season. The first citation of him was given in 2012 under the technical direction of Rachid Taoussi. He registers more than 50 matches (98% starts) and establishes himself as the most experienced footballer on the current squad.

Sofiane Boufal

It took him a while to decide on the selection he would defend. France and Morocco had him in their sights since his stage as a youth player. He was born in Paris, his mother’s land, but his father raised him under Moroccan customs. He finally ended up leaning towards the red cast.

In 2017 his first match with the Moroccan national team took place. It happened in a friendly against the Netherlands. Despite the short time that he has been wearing the red and green colors, in Qatar he is playing his second World Cup.

Hakim Ziyech

Native of the Dutch city of Dordrecht. He was a member of the Netherlands under 19 and under 21 youth teams. When he had to decide on the national team that he would defend in the senior category, he surprised everyone by leaning towards Morocco. He did it because he is the son of a Moroccan couple, and despite the fact that he does not speak Arabic or acquire the customs, he feels a lot of affection and respect for that flag.

He debuted with Morocco five months after representing ‘Clockwork Orange’ in the Under 21 European Tournament, which had him as one of its figures. He played two games and signed a double in the 6-1 win against Scotland.

Sofyan Amrabat

Although he was raised by two migrant parents from Ben Taïeb, Morocco, the Fiorentina all-rounder was born in the Dutch town of Utecht. Like Ziyech, he too had the opportunity to represent ‘Clockwork Orange’ in their formative stage and ended up joining Morocco at the top level.

His older brother Nordin was also born in the country of tulips and chose to play for Morocco. He was present at the Russia 2018 event, sharing a team with Sofyan. A more than emotional event for the Amrabat family.

youth divine treasure

With an average age of 26.3 years, Morocco ranked as the seventh youngest team in Qatar 2022. Now, with only eight teams competing, they are the youngest in the tournament. Even surpassing England (26.5 years). Although they have this title, that does not mean that they have experienced figures in important leagues such as Spain, England, France and Italy among their ranks.

His footballers with fewer years on the calendar are Bilal El Khannouss (18 years old / Genk -Belgium), Ez Abde (20 years old / Osasuna-Spain), Zakaria Aboukhlal (22 years old / Toulouse-France), Anass Zaroury (22 years old / Burnley -England) and Azzedine Ounahi (22 years old / Angers-France). It should be noted that no field player is over 32 years of age, which leads us to calculate that none is playing their last World Cup.