Morocco celebrate their FIFA Women’s World Cup game win. Photo credit: FIFA via Twitter.
Morocco’s story of reaching their first ever FIFA women’s world cup is like no other of unique growth, perseverance, and progress. Since its establishment in 1998, the team has embarked on a journey to develop women’s football in Morocco and make its mark on the international stage.
The story of the Moroccan women’s national football team is one of growth, perseverance, and progress, but too unique compared to any other nation in the world. After beating Botswana in the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals, the Atlas Lionesses cliched participation to their first FIFA Women’s World Cup making them the only Arab nation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to mark such achievement. Riding on the high of such a win, Morocco made it to their first AFCON Cup final but fell short in front of a cinematic home stadium of 51,000 people in Rabat on July 23 to an experienced South African side, whose two goals crushed the Moroccan dream to win the title. However, this did not come easy and is only the result of combined efforts and beliefs that seeked steady progression of a positive trajectory in every area on and off the field.
Looking to put Morocco on the big stage, The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) recognized the importance of promoting women’s football by setting up various key plans. In collaboration with multiple stakeholders, the FRMF implemented development programs to nurture women’s football talent in Morocco. These programs focused on grassroots initiatives, including the establishment of women’s football clubs and leagues, in fact Morocco is one of the few nations in the world to set up two professional leagues, and four levels of small amateur football leagues, all of which are connected by a promotion and relegation system.
Further, the federation assured providing training and coaching opportunities to grow the amount of personnel growing the game locally to produce talented stars. As part of the efforts to support women’s football, especially the national teams, infrastructure development has played a crucial role. The FRMF has invested in building football facilities and stadiums suitable for women’s competitions, allowing for better training and match conditions. The football training center sits on a 30 hectare piece of land, features world-class equipment, and leading sports science equipment costing over US$65m. The facility was built to be used used by all national team levels, men’s and women’s.
The never matched before support allowed for improved training camps, better matched friendlies against the best in the world such as Canada and Italy that has naturally enhanced global transition. Former French OL Lyon head coach and 2x UWCL winner Reynald Pedros was brought in following a huge effort by federation president Fouzi Lekjaa in November 2021. The 2018 Best FIFA Women’s Coach winner instantly got to work going on a six game win streak and did not experience defeat until the AFCON final in July of 2022. Over the course of those 14 months, not only did the Atlas Lionesses win more games than any spell before, but Morocco had never played this amount of friendlies in a year.
The squad includes a healthy split of players having a career at home and those enjoying their development abroad. Captain and the most capped Moroccan player Ghizlane Chebbak has been a true leader of the squad over the past decade. Chebbak has been highly praised by Pedros for the superb reception she’s given to the squad given the new era the nation has entered. Being the all time leading goal scorer for The Atlas lionesses, Chebbak is an un-droppable player with her midfielder role simply irreplaceable. Repping number 7 on her shirt, she is a highly creative number 10 that is flexible enough to play anywhere in the midfield. Deadly on set-piece delivery, the captain possessed a sharp eye spotting teammates in vital space.
Often, it is an elective 24-year old Fatima Tagnout on the receiving end. Marta like player, the winger is brutal on the ball with pace that breaks defense lines in a split second. During the AFCON cup, her link up play with Spur’s Rosella Ayane presented a great deal of trouble to back lines with their crosses ending in the back of the net, which were key in their competition run. A full frontline with players under 30 and an experienced bunch of midfielders, the red-kitted squad hold a well balances roster of experience and rising talent. Pedro’s knowledge as a former international players himself and a manager who has won the biggest club football trophy has been perfectly paired with the needs of the squad. Strengthening up the backline has been a major goal that’s shown a bright improvement, the confidence of the midline is like never before, and the sharpness of the forwards has been game changing.
A mixed bag of results leading up to the World cup has seen losses to Poland, Romania and Canada, wins over Slovakia and Bosnia and a lone draw against Republic of Ireland and Italy. The Arab nation is slotted into Euros finalists Germany, Copa America Runner ups Columbia and Asian cup finalists South Korea in Group H. Though Morocco aren’t slotted into an easy group by any means, they entered carrying the pride of the entire Arab nation, which will only inspire and motivate neighbouring federations to aim for such stage.
Just like an other debuting nation, the AFCON finalists hoped to grab a win and cause some chaos against the top opposition in the group. And cause chaos they have. Morocco made history by winning their first ever Women’s World Cup game against Group H rivals Colombia, which was also the first Arab nation to win a Women’s World Cup game. Nouhaila Benzina also become the first player to wear a hijab while competing at a senior-level Women’s World Cup.
So far, Morocco have lost their game against Germany (6-0) and took a 1-0 win against South Korea. In order to progress to the Round-16, Morocco need to either win against Columbia, and Germany lose or draw against South Korea, or Morocco need to draw against Columbia but Germany must lose.
One thing for sure is, they will come in guns blazing and give their all in their final group stage match. The Atlas Lionesses will be roaring. Win or loss, the nation and the players are inspiring more than one can imagine.
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