Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi made his way to his mother in the stands after Morocco shocked the football world with a 2-0 victory over favorites Belgium in their pre-tournament Group F match. Their hug and subsequent cheek pinch went viral on all social media platforms. The 24-year-old footballer later posted an Instagram photo of him kissing his mother’s forehead with the caption. But Hakimi’s mother isn’t the only Moroccan soccer mom who traveled to Qatar to support his son at the 2022 World Cup. Under the direction of coach Walid Legragi and President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation Fuji Lekjaer, the families selected by all members of the Moroccan national team are entitled to participate in an all-inclusive trip to Qatar. As a result, our Moroccan base at the Wyndham Doha West Bay Hotel can feel like a fun, parent-run summer camp. Like Regragui’s mother, Fatima, this trip was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“Throughout his career as a player and as a coach, I have never been to see him,” she told Moroccan sports broadcaster Aliyadia. “I have lived in France for over 50 years. But this is the first time I’ve left Paris.” Heartwarming Social His media posts aside, generating positive energy is part of his Regragui strategy of generating intangible benefits that are reflected on the pitch. This is what he said when Mohammed in Maamoura explained shortly after starting his work at his VI complex. “Our success would not be possible without the support of our parents.
happiness. ”
At least he has 15,000 Moroccans living in Qatar, with thousands more from around the world attending the inaugural Arab World Cup, creating an intimidating atmosphere for opposing teams in each group match. Perhaps the most striking example of the Atlas Lions’ home support came in the closing stages of the match against Belgium. After leading 1-0 with 15 minutes remaining, Morocco prepared to absorb the pressure and launch a counterattack. If the World Cup had been held in Europe or South America, with far fewer home fans, those 15 minutes would have felt like an hour for him. When you combine the pressure Moroccan fans put on their opponents in Qatar with scientific evidence showing his team’s higher levels of testosterone at home, the North African team has to thank its supporters.
Certainly, the quality of the players themselves, who have outperformed other Arab teams in the World Cup, will not be compromised. But demand for tickets was so high ahead of the round of 16 clashes with Spain that the Moroccan Football Federation bought 5,000 extra tickets for the fans. The father of midfielder Bilal El-Khanous has further clarified why his Belgian-born son chose Morocco: “His heart spoke to him,” his father said. Shortly after reaching the round of 16, the French-born admitted he had been thinking of his 1986 World Cup, the last time his team passed the group stage. “I was happiest in my life when I was living in the suburbs of France and when Morocco beat Portugal,” he said. Now his team is about to reach new heights. Making it to the quarter-finals of the World Cup is unheard of. The bookmakers choose Spain, but Morocco showed the world what they are capable of in this tournament. “Mom’s love helps.”
