Morocco's dreams of the World Cup were dashed on Thursday when France defeated the Atlas Lions 2-0 and advanced to the tournament semi-finals.
Morocco's dreams of the World Cup were dashed on Thursday when France defeated the Atlas Lions 2-0 and advanced to the tournament semi-finals.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, as well as Ruler of Dubai, noted the worthy level of play by the team, stating that the entire Arab world is proud of their performance.
In a post on the social network X, he wrote: 'We are proud of the worthy performance of the Moroccan national team on the world's biggest sports stage. You have made the Arab world proud. Thank you, Atlas Lions. Defeat is not the end; your best is yet to come, God willing.'
Captain Kylian Mbappé scored his eighth goal in the tournament, inspiring France to a confident 2-0 victory over Morocco in the quarter-final on Thursday. This win secured France's place in the final against Spain or Belgium.
Mbappé opened the scoring for France in the 62nd minute, shooting past Diop into the upper right corner, which was his twentieth goal at the World Cup. Usman Dembélé then increased France's lead, scoring the second goal in the 66th minute.
Morocco has never reached the World Cup final. In 2022, the Atlas Lions managed to pass through Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, reaching the semi-finals, becoming the first African or Arab nation to reach such a level. France concluded its impressive run with a 2-0 victory, while Croatia defeated them 2-1 in the third-place match. Fourth place remains the best result for any African team.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, as well as Ruler of Dubai, extended congratulations to Morocco on reaching the World Cup quarter-finals. He highly praised the team's strong play and fighting spirit.
He sent his congratulations to the 'Lions of the Atlas', noting that their success demonstrates determination, pride, and high quality of play on the field. Furthermore, Sheikh Mohammed congratulated the people of Morocco and King Mohammed VI, wishing the team further success in upcoming matches.
Morocco ended Canada's World Cup dreams at the Round of 16 stage on Saturday. The team, which was a finalist in the 2022 semi-finals, won with a score of 3-0 in Houston. Double goals from Azzedine Ounahi in the second half, followed by a third goal scored by Soufiane Rahimi, secured Morocco's place in the quarter-finals next week, where they will play either France or Paraguay.
Thousands of Egyptians in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) held their breath on Friday evening as Hossam Abdelmagid stepped up for a penalty in the World Cup qualifier match against Australia. This decisive moment came after both teams drew 2-2, and the penalty shootout ended with Egypt winning 2-3.
When the goal hit the net, an explosion of sounds erupted across the UAE from cafes, homes, and fan zones. This marked the first time that favorites reached Group A16 of the FIFA tournament, where they are set to face Lionel Messi of Argentina, who plays alongside Mohamed Salah. This was followed by a truly unforgettable display of euphoria and Arab unity.
Journalists from Khaleej Times in Dubai and Ajman reported that fans in red shirts took to the streets around 1:30 AM, chanting, greeting, and dancing. On the sidewalks, people sang the phrase 'Shemal yameen amalooha al masreyeen' (left and right, the Egyptians did it); women on balconies emitted a characteristic high sound called zaghruta. Families, including children, participated in the fun despite the late hour.
On the roads, drivers honked and congratulated strangers in adjacent lanes while traffic moved slowly, and passengers turned around waving the red-white-black flag of Egypt. Police cars were spotted in several areas, especially near cafes broadcasting the matches. However, as was the case during similar tense sporting events in the past, the authorities' presence was mainly focused on regulating traffic and preventing celebrations from getting out of control.
An ecstatic Egyptian expat named Mohammed, who gave only his name, told Khaleej Times that the celebration felt like he had returned home. He emphasized the importance of the world seeing Arab skill and talent on such a global stage as the FIFA World Cup.
A resident of Dubai named Ahmed noted that not only Egyptians were celebrating. As an Egyptian himself, he was happy to see other Arabs and non-Arabs, including Filipino and Indian expats, celebrating, noting that this display of solidarity made him feel supported despite being far from home.
An Indian expat and long-time resident of the UAE, Annie, told Khaleej Times: 'The energy after the match in the UAE was electric. The most memorable thing for me—besides all the moments when my family and I were shouting in front of the TV—was how the match ended at 00:53, and practically a minute later Sheikh Mohammed tweeted that 'the joy of the Arabs today is Egyptian.' I am not Arab, but having lived here for three decades, I understood what he meant... We all felt the same pride last night. It is truly a beautiful game that unites people of different nations.'
Near Ajman Corniche, the scene was similar. A Khaleej Times reporter present there on Friday evening recalls loud cheers and a cacophony of car horns, while flags soared through windows and hatches. Authorities were also gathered in the area as traffic began to increase, ensuring everyone's safe return home.
