Qatar 2022: Africa and the Middle East united behind Morocco

Morocco have become the first ever Arab nation to reach a World Cup quarterfinal and the first African side to do so since Ghana in 2010. In Doha, the Atlas Lions have support from across Africa and the Middle East.

Sheer joy: Morocco’s players celebrate their penalty shootout win over Spain. They have the whole of Africa and the Arab behind them, but how far can they go?
Sheer joy: Morocco’s players celebrate their penalty shootout win over Spain. They have the whole of Africa and the Arab behind them, but how far can they go?

When Morocco face Portugal for a place in the World Cup semifinal on Saturday, they will be able to count not only on the support of thousands of traveling fans from the north-western tip of Africa, but indeed of millions across the entire continent and the Middle East.

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After their stunning penalty shootout win over Spain, the Atlas Lions are the only African representatives left in Qatar and the first African side to reach the quarterfinal since Ghana in 2010. They’re also the first ever Arab nation to reach this stage of a World Cup, earning them huge swathes of support.

“I’m Egyptian but I’m here to support Morocco,” confirms Gamal, a supporter DW encounters at Souq Waqif, one of the most popular convergence points for fans in Doha. “Morocco is the last Arab country left in the competition, and also the last African country.”

Hakim Ziyech, Achraf Hakimi and co have already made history at this tournament by becoming the first African team to win a World Cup group since Nigeria in 1998, ahead of heavyweights Croatia and Belgium.

Now, having overcome their neighbors from across the Strait of Gibraltar, they have a chance of achieving what Ghana came so close to doing in South Africa in 2010: becoming the first African side to reach a World Cup semifinal.