Moroccans' enthusiasm for
the game, which they call le foot, makes the phrase "national pastime"
seems quaint. "Mad
obsession" describes their feelings better. Football is collective passion
that penetrates every corner of this diverse nation. Since the French
introduced it in 1912, football has become a cultural practice more
widespread than any other sport. Moroccans look to "Les Lions de l'Atlas"
as an assertion of Morocco's status: a sporting "force de frappe" in the
Arab world and Africa.
Morocco has been breeding one the
most brilliant and graceful players, and the most extravagantly dedicated fans
in the continent. While in Europe football is planned and manufactured, and
mathematical, in Morocco it's intuitive and unpredictable, and explosive.
This football culture added to
the warm hospitality of the Moroccan people would certainly make the four-yearly
global extravaganza a great success.
Interesting Facts
First African country to reach
Euro-african stopping matchs in World Cup qualifiers
Morocco Vs. Span 1961
First African country to reach the
2nd Round of a World Cup competition
Mexico 1986
First African country bidding for
the organisation of the World Cup
World Cup 1994
First African referee in a World Cup
Final Match.
France Vs Brazil 1998
First country having a player in the
Final Round of the World Cup
Switzerland 1954 (Abderrahman Belmahjoub with French
team)
Only nation to be elected 3 times
"Best Football Nation) by FIFA.
1997 - 1998 - 1999
First African country participating
to the World Clubs Championship
