RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Hind Sabouni beams with pride as she recalls her nation’s historic World Cup run, which saw it advance to the semifinals and become the first African and Arab nation to do so. Her team defeated Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, all of which were former African colonial powers and soccer powerhouses.
It’s about to get even more complicated for the 26-year-old English teacher in Morocco’s capital and for many of her countrymen in the North African nation and in the diaspora. France is up next: The former colonial ruler of Morocco for a good portion of the first half of the 20th century. For both nations, the match on Wednesday has political and emotional resonance.
It reveals every nuanced aspect of the complicated relationship in which France retains significant economic, political, and cultural influence. Sabouni said, “This game is one of a kind.” Particularly considering that France will follow suit. For the previous protectorate, the match against the reigning champ is a chance to show that Morocco is a considerable enemy — on the soccer pitch at any rate.
Despite the fact that movement between the two nations has obscured the lines for the overwhelming majority in France and Morocco about whom to help Wednesday in Qatar. She stated that young Moroccans “speak English rather than French, they buy more American products than French ones, and even those who want a better life abroad try to avoid France.”
Rabat-based communications professional Kenza Bartali doesn’t see any political undertones in the match. She acquired her lord’s degree in France and lived for a considerable length of time in Paris and the southern urban communities of Pleasant and Toulon somewhere in the range between 2016 and 2018. She made “wonderful friends,” many of whom remain her friends to this day. The majority of Moroccan students received respect, “the 26-year-old stated.
Nevertheless, it is clear which team she is supporting. Bartali stated, “I sincerely hope that Morocco advances to the final.” Because France is a very good team, I am aware that it will be difficult, but we are hoping for the best. Moroccans and other North Africans in France share Sabouni’s sentiments. Although the younger generation of African and Asian immigrants and their descendants appear to be more at ease with multiple identities and languages in France.
They still face institutional discrimination, public racial and ethnic prejudice, economic hardship, and a lack of job opportunities. France has once again turned to their national soccer team, which features players from a variety of backgrounds, as evidence that the country has indeed become a melting pot despite lingering prejudice against immigrants that is stoked by elected right-wing politicians, as it has done in previous World Cups.
“Cultural changes and changes in life on the ground do have an effect, and the team represents that,” stated Laurent Dubois, a professor at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville who has written two books on French and international soccer. People in Morocco have embraced the team’s foreign-born players like they were their own sons. They are pleased that they have chosen Morocco as their national team.
Despite the fact that they could have played for any of their birth countries—Spain, Canada, Belgium, also, the past — and value the impressive skill and experience they bring from Europe’s top clubs.
The Morocco public group relies vigorously upon the diaspora, with 14 of the crew’s 26 players conceived abroad, including their French-conceived mentor, Walid Regragui, the most noteworthy extent for any group at the World Cup.
Many players struggle with family stories of colonial history, the difficulties of immigration, and questions of national loyalty, just like Morocco’s home fans and the estimated 5 million fans scattered throughout Europe and beyond. Whether they call France or Morocco their home, Belgium, Canada, Tunisia, Algeria, or any other country their home, they have a fervent desire to free themselves from the burdens of the past and advance to the World Cup final.
Maher Mezahi, an Algerian journalist who covers African football and is based in Marseille, stated, “Most of the Moroccan players, who were born abroad, chose Morocco as their national team because they feel they play for more than just to win a football match.” They play to express their family’s and nation’s pride. In the most significant match the team has ever played, Regragui and his players’ dual identities are meaningless.
The Moroccan mentor stated, “I’m a double public, and that is an honor and a joy.” Additionally, it is an honor and pleasure to confront France. However, I am the head coach of Morocco, and we will play the best team in the world. Regragui stated, “When we play for the Moroccan national team, we are Moroccans.”