2022 semi-finalists Morocco have more to prove at this year’s World Cup

(AP)

Legal disputes and acrimony have replaced the accolades and euphoria for Morocco’s national team ahead of this year’s FIFA World Cup.

Morocco became embroiled in controversy after hosting the most recent edition of the Africa Cup of Nations — three years after the Atlas Lions made history by becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

Morocco’s astonishing run to the semi-finals at the tournament in Qatar — with knockout stage wins over Spain and Portugal, with whom the kingdom will co-host the 2030 World Cup — electrified fans and galvanised support across Africa for the team.

But the chaotic Africa Cup final against Senegal in January is still fresh in the memory after Morocco were declared the champions two months after losing the match 1-0 in extra time.

CHAMPIONS OF AFRICA?

Senegal initially were awarded the Africa Cup trophy after beating Morocco in the final on January 18 in Rabat. But the Confederation of African Football stripped the Teranga Lions of the title on March 17 after the body ruled that Senegal should forfeit the result because their players walked off the field in protest following a late penalty call before later returning to complete the match. It turned Senegal’s 1-0 win in extra time into a 3-0 default victory for Morocco.

Senegal have appealed to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Senegal team also subsequently paraded the trophy in Paris.

Moroccan celebrations have been muted pending the outcome of the appeal, which is still outstanding.

The Atlas Lions will face five-time champions Brazil at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 13, then face Scotland at Boston Stadium six days later. The team’s final Group C match will be against Haiti at Atlanta Stadium on June 24.

Success at the tournament co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States is a prerequisite for a country that has invested heavily in a bid to become a football superpower. Becoming a co-host for the 2030 World Cup is just part of that endeavour.

COACHING CHANGE

Morocco coach Walid Regragui, who took over shortly before leading the team to 2022 World Cup semi-finals in Qatar, quit after the Africa Cup in January — a couple months before CAF awarded his team the title.

Despite the unprecedented World Cup success, Regragui faced criticism for how the team played and he was criticised after the disappointing performance at the previous Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast in 2023.

Mohamed Ouahbi, who led Morocco’s under-20 team to the Youth World Cup title in 2025, took over as Regragui’s successor and led the team to a draw against Ecuador and a win over Paraguay in World Cup warm-up games in March.

INJURED CAPTAIN

Influential right back Achraf Hakimi has been sidelined with a right thigh injury and faces a race to be ready for the World Cup. Hakimi was also late for Morocco’s Africa Cup campaign with an ankle injury but returned in time to help the team for the knockout stage.