Morocco's Historic Journey and Rising Expectations
The remarkable achievements that Morocco has made in the previous edition of the FIFA World Cup have placed an immense burden of expectations on the team as they prepare for the upcoming tournament set to take place this month across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This pressure could potentially stifle their ambitions. The North African nation, which will co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Spain, delighted its fans and disrupted traditional power dynamics with a stunning run to the semifinals at the 2022 tournament held in Qatar. This milestone marked the first time an African and Arab team reached the semifinals in the tournament's history, providing a significant boost for both African and Arab football.
Morocco has continued to meet these heightened expectations by winning all their matches in the World Cup qualifiers, achieving a remarkable record of 19 consecutive victories. This streak surpassed the previous record of 15 wins set by Spain over a 12-month period from 2008 to 2009, solidifying Morocco as a frontrunner in the African Cup of Nations that they hosted at the end of last year and the beginning of this year. However, their performances during the tournament were not as convincing as many had hoped.
Upcoming Challenges and Government Support
FIFA has officially announced the schedule for the Under-17 World Cup, which will take place from November 19 to December 13, featuring a selection of emerging teams from around the globe. This edition follows the notable success of last year’s tournament in Qatar, which showcased 48 teams and attracted large crowds eager to witness the promising talents on the global stage. This year's tournament is expected to include many exciting matches, highlighted by a key matchup in Group A between the host nation, Qatar, and Egypt, promising an electrifying atmosphere.
In Jordan, the government has responded to the fervor surrounding the World Cup by adjusting official working hours during the days when the national football team plays. Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan announced that the start of the workday will be delayed until 10:00 AM local time on match days. This decision comes in light of the matches being held in the United States, resulting in game times that fall in the early morning hours in Jordan. This adjustment is a response to public and media calls for flexible working hours during the tournament, reflecting the national pride and support for their team as they compete on the world stage.
As reported by alquds.co.uk.
