The ninth Women’s World Cup kicks off tomorrow in both Australia and New Zealand, with Morocco making its debut appearance on the biggest stage of women’s football (the first Arab nation to ever qualify).
While there have only ever been four winners—US, four times, Germany twice and both Japan and Norway—we’re expecting big things from Morocco’s women’s team. Here’s what you should know ahead of the tournament.
Just how good is Morocco?
Morocco’s women’s national team is making rapid progress for a side that was only formed in 1998. Currently ranked in 72nd place by FIFA, it’s built on youth and has a habit of making history. After hosting the African Cup of Nations in 2022, they became the first North African and Arab country to make the final—narrowly losing 2-1 to South Africa. By qualifying for the Women’s World Cup of 2023 they also become the first Arab nation to make the finals of this prestigious tournament.
Who is Morocco’s coach?
Somewhere around the pandemic, the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) decided that they needed some heft to take them to the next level. They enlisted Reynald Pedros, a former French international and legend of the women’s game—in just two seasons at Lyon, Pedros won two Ligue 1 titles, a French Cup and two Women’s Champions League titles. He has moved towards youth in two years coaching the Moroccan side, going some way to building a legacy in the process.
What’s women’s football like in Morocco?
The recent success of women’s football in Morocco—they’re the only nation with two professional divisions—is seen as not only raising the profile of the women’s game in the country, but also in highlighting the general freedoms of women there too. “The place of women in society in Morocco has evolved, and we see this through soccer,” the Metz and Morocco midfielder, Salma Amani, told The Washington Post. “Moroccan society, I think, is quite open. More open than some other African countries, I would say. And it’s necessary that it continues in this direction, as I do not see why women would have less rights to do certain things than men.”|
Which Morocco players should I look out for?
The big name in Moroccan women’s football is their inspirational national captain, Ghizlane Chebbak. The 32-year-old striker has 21 goals in 60 games for the Atlas Lionesses and, at club level, has won the Moroccan Women’s Championship for AS Far no less than 10 times in the last 11 seasons. Elsewhere, AS Far teammate Fatima Taganout has wild dribbling skills and a clobbering left foot, and Tottenham’s Rosella Ayane offers a real goalscoring threat alongside Chebbak.
Can Morocco win the World Cup?
Despite making real progress in recent years, this tournament will likely be too much for a young and inexperienced side to handle in the latter stages. Form in the lead-up has been patchy—they lost their last friendly 1-0 to Jamaica, after drawing 0-0 with both Italy and Switzerland. However, group qualification could be possible, providing they can negotiate a tricky opening game against Germany.
When can I see Morocco play?
Morocco opens its World Cup account against Germany on July 24, 12:30pm (GST) at the Melbourne Rectangular stadium. They play South Korea on July 30, 8:30am (GST) at Hindmarsh stadium, while their final group game is against Colombia at 2pm at Perth Oval on August 3.