beIN SPORTS Hails Morocco as Emerging Global Football Powerhouse After Historic World Cup Achievements
Doha, The Gulf Observer: Morocco’s remarkable ascent in global football has drawn widespread recognition, with beIN SPORTS’ flagship show 5ASIDE describing the North African nation as “the next soccer powerhouse” following two historic milestones on the world stage.
In an in-depth feature titled “Morocco Proves It Could Be the Next Soccer Powerhouse After Two Huge Achievements in World Cups,” the network praised Morocco’s long-term football vision, crediting its recent triumphs to “a well-structured project backed by a generation of talented players now winning on the global stage.”
The article highlights Morocco’s journey from the 2022 Qatar World Cup—where the Atlas Lions became the first African nation ever to reach the semifinals—to their latest achievement as U-20 World Champions in Chile after defeating Argentina 2–0 in the final.
Led by head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, the Moroccan U-20 squad delivered a stunning performance, with forward Yassir Zabiri scoring both goals and earning the tournament’s Golden Boot award. Commenting on the victory, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) stated that the result “was no surprise, but rather the outcome of years of investment, vision, and unwavering commitment to development.”
According to 5ASIDE, Morocco’s rise represents far more than a series of isolated victories—it reflects a national transformation driven by strategic investment in youth academies, modern infrastructure, and sports technology. “Morocco now plays to win, not just to surprise people,” the feature noted, emphasizing that the Atlas Lions have evolved from underdogs into formidable contenders on the world stage.
The report revisited Morocco’s unforgettable 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign, during which the team defeated Spain and Portugal en route to the semifinals, marking a watershed moment for African football. That achievement, beIN SPORTS observed, “proved that Africa could compete with Europe and South America’s best.”
Three years later, Morocco’s U-20 squad reaffirmed that message by defeating football giants Brazil, France, Spain, and the United States before conquering Argentina in the final. beIN SPORTS called the youth team “a golden generation rewriting African football history.”
Describing Morocco’s football philosophy as “a comprehensive national project,” 5ASIDE underlined that the country’s ambitions now extend well beyond regional success. With qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup already secured, the outlet asserted that Morocco’s objective is clear: “to become the first African country to lift the senior World Cup trophy.”
“The Atlas Lions are roaring louder than ever, and the future, without question, belongs to them,” the article concluded.
Reflecting this confidence, Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the FRMF, declared: “We are no longer the Morocco that celebrates qualification. We now celebrate victories.”
As the world’s attention increasingly turns toward Rabat and Casablanca, beIN SPORTS affirmed that Morocco’s football renaissance has only just begun—and that its strategic model may soon redefine the future of African football.
