Flags, team uniforms, and player billboards are prominently displayed in downtown Rabat prior to Morocco’s World Cup semifinal matchup against France on Wednesday. However, because it is the first Arab or African team to make that far, the squad will receive support from a far larger audience.
Particularly during the first World Cup ever held in an Arab nation and after the team took a photo with a Palestinian flag, Morocco’s exploits have attracted people’s attention in Arab countries.
Morocco has outdone expectations by beating a succession of much higher-ranked European teams – Belgium in the group stage and then Spain and Portugal in the knockout rounds. It has laid on more than a dozen extra flights to take fans to Qatar.
Have fun reviewing movies and drinks
But Moroccan flags are also selling out across North Africa and the Middle East as fans rush for souvenirs to cheer on the team.
“There is a big demand for buying Moroccan flags because it is the first Arab country to reach the semi finals. The demand is so big that they are out of stock,” said Karim Mohammed Qotb, a street vendor in Cairo.
In Gaza, Eyad Abu Teir was out shopping for Moroccan colours. “Morocco’s win is a win for the whole Arab nation and we Arabs should all participate in it,” he said.
For salesman Tarek Abu Dayyeh, nearby, Morocco’s World Cup success was bringing an unexpected business boost. “Gaza is besieged and the financial situation is difficult… we hope the sales will go up if Morocco wins the World Cup,” he said.
Even as far as Iraq, people said they were excited at the prospect of an Arab country doing so well.
“It’s the best Arab performance we’ve ever seen as soccer fans and a great achievement,” said Salam Rabiea, an engineer in Baghdad.
In Morocco, an important member of the Arab League but where much of the population identifies as Amazigh, there has been some bemusement at the Arab embrace, including jokes that people from other Arab countries should finally accept Moroccan dialect.
But Mohammed al-Andaz had made up his mind whose team he would support in Libya, which is in North Africa like Morocco.
“We wish them well against France and the cup. An African and Arab team makes up this one. All Arabs and Muslims are praying for Morocco to win, and we hope that our prayers are heard “added he.
