France await Morocco in the World Cup quarter-finals
France await on Thursday night
Your team faces France in the World Cup quarter-finals. The match kicks off Thursday at 22:00 local time (4). France are the top favourites. But Morocco just knocked out the Netherlands on penalties. You have every reason to believe.
Saibari is the name on everyone's lips
Ismael Saibari scored in the shootout against the Dutch. He scored in every group-stage match as well. Kicker are calling him a shooting star and Bayern Munich's potential future number 9 (1). That is how fast his stock is rising. From PSV's bench to leading Morocco into a World Cup quarter-final.
The Netherlands win sparked chaos and joy
Morocco 1–1 Netherlands after extra time. Saibari buried his penalty. The Dutch goalkeeper scored a wayward own goal in the shootout. Koeman copped criticism for playing five at the back and said he would reflect on his future (3). Moroccan fans celebrated wildly. Reports also noted unrest in parts of the Netherlands.
Morocco are a world football power now
RMC Sport put it plainly: Morocco is the new power in world football (2). Investment, ambition, and a home World Cup in 2030 on the horizon. This run is not a fluke. The foundation has been laid for years.
Fan-reaktioner
Reddit has noticed the Morocco detail in this World Cup: Walid Regragui is one of only seven managers in the tournament who coaches his own nationality. No foreign manager has ever won the World Cup. If that stat holds, Morocco are in rare company. See the thread here.
Sources
- 1. kicker.de — Vom Aussortierten zum WM-Star - und Bayerns Neuner der Zukunft?
- 2. rmcsport.bfmtv.com — Coupe du monde 2026: dans les instances et sur le terrain, le Maroc est la nouvelle puissance du football mondial
- 3. sportnieuws.nl — Bekende verslaggever Noa Vahle sluit vriend in de armen na 'pittige weken': 'Superfijn om hem weer te zien'
- 4. elfvoetbal.nl — Voorbeschouwing Frankrijk ? Marokko: Kan Marokko de topfavoriet dwarsbomen?