Morocco and their qualification for their first FIFA Women’s World Cup is an achievement in itself. The country’s promotion of the women’s game received a big boost when it hosted the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2022. The squad is primarily made up of players from Rabat’s AS Far and some exceptionally skilled outside players made it to the final. Morocco are in a carefully balanced group alongside Germany, South Korea, and Colombia. As a result of the draw, and despite the fact that this is a very challenging task, the goal is to advance to the knockout stages. Morocco is starting to take women’s football seriously after competing in the Under-17 World Cup in India.
The team, like the men’s squad, is a melting pot where four or even five different languages are spoken. However, the common objective is not just to excel on the pitch. It is also to promote the women’s game and act as role models for future generations. In a nation where football has long been considered the “game of men,” it appears to be a sincere goal. A change in mindset was evident in 2022 when every Morocco game at Wafcon was played in front of a packed house at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. When AS Far hosted and won the second CAF Women’s Champions League, the frenzy intensified.
The Manager
Reynald Pedros was called by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) during the epidemic because they needed a well-known player to assist them in moving up the ladder. With two Ligue 1 titles, a French Cup, and two Women’s Champions League crowns with Lyon, the former France international is a legend. Pedros has brought in a number of young and skilled players from Europe. He is aware of how important the women’s game is to Morocco.
Star player
The face of Moroccan women’s football is Ghizlane Chebbak. Her late father played for Morocco at the international level and was a member of the 1976 Atlas Lions squad that captured the tournament’s lone championship. When she made the decision to play football, he was also her staunchest ally. As the captain of the top Moroccan team, AS Far, Chebbak is a national hero. Every chance she gets, she speaks to young ladies, inspiring them to pursue their goals and put in the necessary effort.
Rising star
Without a doubt, Fatima Tagnaout possesses a generational gift. She presents a great threat to the opposition’s defense. Her distinctive style, speed on the wing, and dribbling abilities. But Tagnaout’s biggest weapon is her fantastic shooting skill with her left foot. She may not utilize as much as she might because she prefers to help rather than score. In 2022, she received the Women’s CAF Champions League Player of the Competition award.
Fun Fact
At Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, the 2022 WAFCON broke the continent’s attendance record. In the stands for the semi-final between Morocco and Nigeria were 45,562 spectators. Despite there being no official proof, some think that the attendance for the final exceeded 50,000. There were undoubtedly hundreds of supporters waiting outside the stadium to enter and support the Atlas Lionesses.
State of Football
Since 2009, the Moroccan FA has been investing in the promotion of women’s football. With the establishment of a professional league, the rate of growth has accelerated significantly. The FRMF pays the players’ monthly payments in order to safeguard them.
Our Prediction
The biggest challenge can be a lack of high-level experience. Morocco has enough skill, though, to get to the FIFA Women’s World Cup knockout rounds. Although the opening match against Germany is intimidating, anything is possible, and even a narrow loss would bolster the team’s confidence.
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