Attention turns to Morocco after the national team’s historic triumphs in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, as the Kingdom hosts the 2023 Fifa Club World Cup starting Wednesday, wrote Emarati daily “The National”.
According to the news outlet, the Moroccan squad’s unprecedented achievement of reaching the semis makes Morocco’s football status high. Moroccan players are coveted by European clubs, such as Hakim Ziyech who is chased by Paris Saint-Germain and Sofyan Amrabat by Barcelona.
The 2023 Fifa World Cup will begin in Tangier, which will give the MENA region some momentum. The Middle East and North Africa will be well represented, built on the gains of Qatar 2022.
Wydad Athletic of Casablanca will enter the staggered competition in the second round. Wydad goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti guided the club to a Caf Champions League and domestic league double months before taking over the national team and overseeing their triumphs against Belgium, Spain, and the Portuguese.
The Club World Cup will be an unusual tournament due to the two African heavyweights: Wydad, the Caf Champions League winner and Al Ahly that finished the runners-up in the competition, added The National.
New Zealand’s Auckland City, Oceania champions, will also take part in the 2023 Club World Cup.
Flamengo, South American champions will travel to Morocco for next week’s semi-final.