2026 World Cup: Heavyweights Set for Blockbuster Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nDespite this precedent, Moroccan fans are combining optimism with caution given the level of play shown by the French team. However, confidence in the national team has grown. \u201cFor the Moroccan public, the approach to the match against France is different than it was for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Although that match was a semifinal, there was a lot of fear. Today, the conviction is greater,\u201d Hamza Chtioui, a sports journalist for the Moroccan website Hespress, told the EFE news agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chtioui pointed out that the Moroccan national team, ranked sixth in the FIFA rankings, faces an opponent with stars, experience, and technical stability, but one that \u201chas significant weaknesses in its defensive line.\u201d \u201cOur fans are no longer just dreaming like they did in Qatar; today I firmly believe that the team can pull off an upset,\u201d the journalist stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This hope is widespread among the population. Amal, a 36-year-old civil servant, said: \u201cWe will win. If we do, there will be a before and after, even in the perception of our political relationship with France.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fans are organizing themselves into groups of friends and family in cafes, bars, and fan zones to watch the match. In cities like Rabat, it\u2019s impossible to find a seat once the game has started, so some of the crowd watches standing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mustapha Ounejma, manager of the Poulhe cafe, noted that customers occupy tables up to four hours in advance, forcing them to raise prices; a cup of tea went from \u20ac1.50 to \u20ac5 and is often served with sweets due to the lack of turnover. \u201cWhen I ask some of my customers about the match against France, they tell me we\u2019ll win. Sometimes they even say it will be by a lot of goals,\u201d Ounejma commented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To alleviate the pressure on establishments, the government set up fan zones in airports and tourist and archaeological sites. At the Moulay Hassan stadium in Rabat, tickets range from \u20ac10 to \u20ac100 to watch the match on giant screens in a festive atmosphere. Following Morocco\u2019s recent 3-0 victory over Canada in the round of 16, fans have taken to the streets en masse to celebrate with banners, music, and flares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chtioui emphasized the strong desire for revenge: \u201cIf Morocco beats France, talk will begin about the possibility of winning the World Cup, even though the road ahead remains difficult. Nevertheless, ambition will grow and hope will intensify.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Author: HGV\/JF<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: TeleSur\/EFE<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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