The Moroccan national futsal team is gearing up for a clash against Iran in the Round of 16 of the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup. The match is scheduled for Thursday in Uzbekistan, where the tournament is being held from September 14 to October 5.
After a solid group-stage performance, Morocco secured their spot in the knockout stage finishing second in Group E with 6 points. The team claimed victories over Tajikistan and Panama but faced a setback in their final group game, losing 4-1 to Portugal on Sunday.
Their next opponent, Iran, comes into the match with a formidable record. The Iranian team dominated Group F, securing 9 points from three decisive wins over Venezuela (7-1), Guatemala (9-4), and France (4-1).
Ranked 4th in the world, Iran is a strong opponent, having finished third in the 2016 Futsal World Cup in Colombia and fourth in the 1992 tournament in Hong Kong. The Iranians have also won the AFC Futsal Championship a staggering 12 times, making them one of the favorites in the competition.
For Morocco, this is a significant challenge, but the team has shown resilience throughout the tournament. A victory over Iran would mark a major achievement for the North African side, as they aim to make a deeper run in the World Cup.