00:03in recent years morocco has emerged as one of the most significant hotbeds of football
00:09in the world the men's team broke new ground for african football
00:14by reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 world cup
00:20in the group phase they stunned pre-tournament favorites belgium 2-0 then edged past spain on
00:26penalties before adding the scalp of portugal in the quarter finals in 2024 morocco was selected
00:34by fifa as one of the co-hosts of the 2030 world cup sharing main hosting duties with spain and
00:41portugal what a brilliant world cup in 2030 in morocco obviously morocco semi-finalists of the
00:52last uh fifa world cup in qatar everyone knows the fans of uh marocco felicitations
00:59omarok dima maghreb we should say as well uh they are absolutely unique and uh and fantastic the
01:08people that will go to morocco will be welcomed like nowhere else it will be a huge celebration
01:16of uh humanity of uh football of togetherness and uh uh the joy for the moroccan people
01:26in morocco and all over the world is uh definitely at this moment extremely high the first time for
01:32morocco as well to host a world cup after having tried many times to beat chair of the committee in
01:40charge of the joint candidacy is fawzi lecture one of football's most influential administrators
01:46he also happens to be an advisor to his country's king leading to major strategic investments in
01:52football like the state-of-the-art academy mohammed cease the football
02:00further influence on the global game arrived in 2025 with the opening of the fifa africa office in the moroccan
02:08capital rabat also in 2025 morocco celebrated victory in the under 20 world cup defeating spain
02:20france and argentina along the way all of this extends morocco's long pioneering legacy for african
02:29football in 1970 they became the first team from the continent to earn a point when they drew one all
02:36with
02:36bulgaria and at mexico 86 they became the first african side to reach the round of 16.
02:46waleed reg raggi is the man responsible for continuing this progress
02:51appointed shortly before the last world cup the former international defender enjoyed an
02:56extraordinary honeymoon period in the role as the atlas lions defied expectations in qatar
03:06the gragi standing took a hit at morocco's next major tournament the 2024 africa cup of nations
03:13when his side was knocked out in the round of 16 by bogey side south africa
03:22this was their only defeat during a two-year period from september 2023 to september 2025 one that included a
03:31world record streak of consecutive victories surpassing spain's mark of 15 between 2008 and 9. that long
03:41unbeaten stretch included a faultless world cup qualifying campaign all eight matches were won
03:47five by two goals or more and they scored at least twice on seven occasions
03:58reg raggi has demonstrated tactical flexibility but leans towards a 4-5-1 formation
04:08now entering veteran status yassine bounou remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world
04:15a la liga winner with atletico madrid and europa league champion with sevilla
04:19who knew moved to the saudi pro league in 2023 and has continued his excellent form
04:27including at the 2025 club world cup when he helped al halal defeat manchester city in the round of 16
04:40morocco's captain best player and all-round mega star is fullback ashraf hakimi
04:46now a champions league winner with both real madrid and paris saint-germain hakimi is the defining fullback in the
04:54modern game
04:57on the opposite side of defense is the versatile newsom as rowey
05:02his club career to date lists ajax bayern munich and manchester united
05:08naaf agerd and adam massina make for an imposing center-half partnership
05:17the well-traveled sofian amrabat is the linchpin in midfield with his defensive nails the foil for an
05:23exciting group of younger internationals to blossom including bilal el-khanous and azadeen unahi
05:37morocco have an enviable array of forwards at their disposal
05:41hakim zeech remains the conductor whether operating through the middle or drifting off a flank and
05:47his nimble footwork is now complemented by brahim diaz after the real madrid playmaker nominated for
05:53the country of his father after previously representing spain
05:59the powerful yusuf and nasiri is the focal point in attack
06:06it is a formidable lineup blending strength experience and game-breaking individual talent
06:13not only that but there is serious quality bubbling underneath
06:17and with the world champion under 20s on the horizon the future looks very bright indeed
06:26since their staggering performance in qatar
06:29morocco has been ranked between 11th and 14th in the world by fifa
06:34consequently expectations are high ahead of the 2026 world cup
06:39and this time around nobody should be surprised if they reach the semifinals or better
06:46and with the world cup on home soil four years later football better take notice that morocco are now a
06:53serious force to be reckoned with
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