Every Now & Then, The World Together Sings
Morocco — the First African Team to Reach Mens’ WorldCup SemiFinals
November 1872
The first official international soccer contest took place in November 1872 Glasgow, a match between Scotland and England. The event was attended by 4,000 people, and the game ended in a 0–0 draw.
Fast-forward to July 1930
FIFA World Cup play made its debut on the international stage in 1930, when FIFA, the world’s recognized football/soccer governing body determined that the organization would stage an international men’s soccer tournament. Because Uruguay at the time was an official two-time world champion team, and because Uruguay was gearing up to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Uruguay’s first constitution, FIFA named Uruguay the host country of the first official FIFA World Cup. The tournament took place at Estadio Centenario in Montivideo, Uruguay. 93,000 fans groaned, protested, applauded, and cheered as Uruguary defeated Argentina 4–2 in the first World Cup final. The 1930 game for many represented a rematch of an Olympic gold medal game held just two years earlier, when Uruguay brought home 1928 gold by defeating Argentina.
Further Forward to December 6, 2022
On Tuesday Dec 6th in Doha, the unanticipated happened — Morocco defeated Spain in 2022 World Cup play, and in so doing, became the first majority-Arab team to qualify for a World Cup quarterfinal. Moroccans in the stadium and in the press box wept. Arabs and Africans around the world stood tall, and broke into cheers, song, and dance as a collective roar consumed Casablanca ( الدَّار الْبَيْضَا) and Fez ( فاس) , Tangier ( طنجة) and Marrakesh (مراكش), Salé ( سلا), Rabat ( الرِّبَاط), and surrounding areas and Moroccan countryside in every direction. In Cairo, Riyadh, Damascus, Gaza, Sana, Tunis, Amman, Algiers, and in Paris, across the US, and even in Madrid, Arabs, Africans, and the world joined in the jubilant outpouring of pride and joy that erupted following Morocco’s December 6, 2022 World Cup win.
December 10, 2022: Four Days Later, Morocco Stuns AGAIN
What happened December 10th in Qatar during World Cup play was historic. A few minutes prior to half-time in their December 10th match against Portugal, striker Youssef En-Nesyri lept to the sky to score the only goal of the game, while powerhouse goalie Yassine Bounou and Morocco’s impenetrable defense maintained a clean slate.
On December 10th Morocco’s men’s team became the first African team in history to reach the World Cup semifinals by defeating Portugal 1–0. While Portugal fans did not receive the result for which they hoped, the world seems to have had a moment that December 10th 2022 day. The electric atmosphere in Al Thumama Stadium, the accomplishment and expert skill of the team, and the elation and pride of the Moroccan people was telegraphed around the world. That day head coach Walid Regragui noted that while initially mainly Moroccans supported the team, now Africans, Arabs, and people everywhere shouted accolades and congratulations, as they took note of the significance and ramifications of Morocco’s historic December 10th win. The stadium, bursting with emotion that ranged from disappointment to elation, came alive with music, cheering, happy shouts, and beautiful moments such as Morocco’s Sofiane Boufal celebrating post-game on the field with this mom:
https://cdn.flipboard.com/independent.co.uk/74542e67ad:632a09fc00:1/original.mp4
Beyond Team Affiliation, the World Takes Note & Celebrates
On December 10th it was as if an entire continent, region, and people were in one place together, witnessing a moment to recognize, to happily note, to congratulate and celebrate. Regardless of the team an individual might typically support, something special, something deserving of admiration and congratulations happened on December 10th in Doha. It was a happy moment for many, a moment in history to admire.
Morocco has ascended to the 2022 World Cup Semifinals.
Morocco plays France Wednesday December 14, 2022.
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