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☆ Injured Morocco midfielder joins squad for World Cup encouragement
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DOHA, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Morocco midfielder Amine Harit, originally chosen to play at the World Cup but injured one week before the start of the tournament, arrived in Qatar on Monday to be with the team for their semi-final against France on Wednesday. Harit, 25, was welcomed by team mates, several of whom posted pictures with him on social media. Morocco’s captain Romain Saiss posted a photo on Instagram featuring him and Harit, writing: "Finally among us … May God heal you … This adventure is also yours." Harit suffered a serious cruciate ligament sprain in his left knee playing for Olympique de Marseille against Monaco in Ligue 1 on Nov. 13,days before he was due to depart to the World Cup. "As you can imagine, beyond the physical pain, it's hard to see the World Cup dream fly by a few hours before being able to live it," Harit said on Twitter following his injury.

☆ UN agency says Israel is delaying new visas for its staff
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Hadas Gold | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Jerusalem CNN —A United Nations agency that operates in the West Bank and Gaza says Israel is not processing visas for its newly recruited staff, while Israeli officials accuse the agency of “ignoring Israeli victims of terror” in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, a charge the agency denies. The UN considers East Jerusalem and the West Bank to be occupied territory, and Israelis living there to be living in illegal settlements. Erdan said when OCHA is asked why they don’t count Israeli victims, they are told the agency does not have reliable data. “Of course you don’t, you don’t employ Hebrew speakers, and the senior manager of the agency is Palestinian,” Erdan said. OCHA’s latest report does record some instances of Israelis being injured by stones thrown at civilian vehicles traveling in the West Bank.

☆ Royal Air Maroc plans 30 flights to carry Moroccan soccer fans to Doha
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Doha, Qatar - December 10, 2022 Morocco fans in Souq Waqif, celebrate as Morocco progress to the semi finals after the Morocco and Portugal match REUTERS/Ibraheem Al OmariRABAT, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Morocco's Royal Air Maroc will operate 30 special flights to carry soccer fans from Casablanca to Doha for the country's Wednesday World Cup semifinal game against France, the airline said on Monday. The flights would depart on Tuesday and Wednesday, it said. To the delight of Moroccans, and not just soccer fans, the country has become the first in Africa ever to qualify for World Cup semifinals. Passengers on the promotionally priced round trips will add to thousands of Moroccans who are already attending the soccer tournament in Doha. Reporting by Ahmed Eljechtimi; Editing by Bradley PerrettOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Morocco’s historic World Cup achievement hailed worldwide
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The Moroccan flag was displayed in cities all around the world on Saturday, as fans celebrated the Atlas Lions’ historic 1-0 victory over Portugal. The qualification of the Atlas Lions for the semi-final of the 2022 world is that of all Africa. Libya’s Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah tweeted: “Congratulations to the Moroccan national team for their historic qualification to the World Cup semi-finals,” alongside an emoji of the Moroccan flag. “CONTINENTAL HISTORY!… What an achievement by the Atlas Lions,” the Confederation of African Football tweeted. !” in reference to her song used as during the 2010 World Cup, with a clapping emoji and a Moroccan flag.

☆ Morocco's foreign-born contingent deliver in Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Moroccans are one of the largest migrant populations in Europe, estimated at some five million, and have close ties with the country. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has talent scouts dotted around Europe and move quickly when there is a potential clash of loyalties. Dutch-born Hakim Ziyech had talks with both the Moroccans and Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman about which country he would commit his international future to before deciding on Morocco. But there are doubters about the policy, who feel this assiduous courting of overseas-born players retards opportunity for home-born footballers. "Today we have shown that every Moroccan is Moroccan.

In an Abidjan cafe where people were watching the game and drinking beer to celebrate the win, customer Jules Goule said Ivorians were proud of Morocco's win. "Through Morocco Africa has just shown that it can compete with other continents in football," he said. As the game wound on, Morocco fans screamed "Ole, ole, ole!" In the media box, a security guard, screaming with triumph, hugged a Moroccan journalist who was weeping with happiness. But in Rabat, joyful fans thronged the streets, people poured towards the downtown square where Morocco's victories are celebrated.

[1/2] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Fans in Lisbon watch Morocco v Portugal - Lisbon, Portugal - December 10, 2022 Portugal fan reacts as he watches the match REUTERS/Rodrigo AntunesLISBON, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Portugal fans were overcome with sadness and frustration on Saturday after their fancied team crashed out of the World Cup to Morocco, a lower-ranked side that had already ousted Spain. Portugal, fresh from their knockout demolition of Switzerland, were beaten by Morocco 1-0. The country's all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo was again out of the starting line-up after being benched for the last-16 tie against Switzerland. The country's football federation had earlier had to publicly deny reports that the skipper had threatened to leave during the tournament. "We are happy on behalf of the whole of Africa, because Morocco was representing Africa," said Moroccan tourist Amin Abdul, in Lisbon.

☆ Portugal coach does not regret leaving Ronaldo out v Morocco
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ronaldo stormed off the pitch after the final whistle crying effusively while being comforted by his team mates. "I do not regret (leaving Ronaldo on the bench)," coach Santos told a news conference on Saturday. "It wouldn't change anything, in terms of the team I can't be thinking with my heart. "I used the team that played really well against Switzerland and there was no reason to change it (against Morocco). "It's not that Ronaldo is no longer a great player, that has nothing to do with it."

☆ How Morocco's surprise World Cup run rallied a legion of Arab fans
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Elizabeth Kuhr | Elizabeth Kuhr Is An Nbc News Producer Based In London. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Qatar — When Morocco takes the field Saturday for the World Cup’s quarter final, the team will have not just an entire nation behind them, but a legion of fans throughout the Arab world. Moroccan players celebrate after wiing a penalty shootout against Spain at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, Qatar on Tuesday. They were energized by Morocco’s huge upset, erupting into cheers when young defender Achraf Hakimi impudently converted the decisive penalty. The fans were very noisy and super happy,” Mohammed Al-dubaisi, a Moroccan fan, told NBC News from the Fan Zone that night. The excitement for Morocco’s progression in the tournament was felt around the world.

☆ Soccer Moroccan fans scramble for World Cup flights
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Ahmed Eljechtimi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

RABAT, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Moroccans scrambled on Friday to get seats on the seven additional flights that state carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has announced to help soccer fans get to Qatar for the World Cup quarter final against Portugal. A source at Morocco's soccer federation said it had agreed with RAM that fans seeking tickets on the additional flights should have tickets for the Saturday match and a Hayya card - Qatar's temporary entry visa for World Cup visitors. However, several fans at a RAM office in Rabat said they were able to get air tickets with only the Hayya card and hoped to buy match tickets on arrival in Doha. Fans attending the Casablanca stadium zone need to get there three hours early for a place, one of the organisers said. "Looking at how many T-shirts I have sold, I wish the World Cup lasted forever,” said Zouhir Sabir, a shop keeper in the old centre of Rabat.

It could also negatively impact African nations that produce battery materials. The United States has a Free Trade Agreement in place with only one African country, Morocco. Battery materials and trade are set to be a focus at next week's U.S.-Africa Leaders' Summit in Washington where President Joe Biden will meet presidents of African countries including Congo. Under IRA, U.S. carmakers will get tax credits if they source at least 40% of battery materials domestically or from American free-trade partners. His is one of many projects across sub-Saharan Africa aiming to produce battery materials like lithium, nickel and graphite.

☆ Moroccans celebrate historic World Cup win against Spain
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Its World Cup success has reverberated across the Arab world and among Moroccan and some other immigrant communities in Europe. “Today is a day of joy for Moroccans and all the Arab world,” Lotfi said. “Morocco is representing all the Arab world, all the African continent, that is beyond description, it is the most glorious part,” he said. In Qatar, Moroccan fans clashed briefly with police outside the stadium before the game started. Ten days ago riots broke out in Belgium and the Netherlands as Morocco fans celebrated beating Belgium in the group stage in Qatar.

☆ Migrants flee plane forced to land in Spain by fake childbirth emergency
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Joan Faus | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Journalists gather after a commercial airplane flying from Morocco to Turkey made an emergency landing in Barcelona's El Prat airport in the early hours and 28 would-be migrants on board ran away across the tarmac in Barcelona, Spain December 7, 2022. After landing at El Prat airport, the woman was checked at a hospital and found she had not gone into labour, the government said. Police detained 14 people who were on the plane operated by Turkey's Pegasus Airlines, while 14 others were still missing, the government said. It said five were put back on the plane and eight others would be deported to Morocco. Reporting by Joan Faus, Inti Landauro; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Arun KoyyurOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

CNN —Several players of Morocco’s national team unfurled a Palestinian flag on the pitch while celebrating their historic World Cup win over Spain in Qatar on Tuesday. This is the second time Moroccan players have raised the Palestinian flag after winning a match. Morocco’s player Jawad El Yamiq raised the Palestinian flag while celebrating his country’s 2-1 victory over Canada last week. Football authorities have occasionally issued fines for displays of the Palestinian flag inside grounds. Videos on social media also show Palestinians celebrating Morocco’s win in the streets of several cities in the West Bank and in Gaza.

☆ Mr Avocado Head has Morocco daring to dream
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Shady Amir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

When the appointment of Regragui following the departure of Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic was announced in August, underwhelmed pundits branded him "avocado head" as a belittling term of derision. Morocco first grabbed attention at the World Cup with a goalless draw against Croatia, the runners-up four years ago. Unfortunately, I did not play in the World Cup. "I think Africans can go far, why not dream of winning the cup? The Moroccan people made us united on the field," Regragui told Bein Sports.

☆ Morocco's round of 16 success is no fluke
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The Atlas Lions had roared to stun 2010 World Cup winner Spain and reach the quarterfinals of Qatar 2022. “Now it is the Africans and Arabs.”For many, it was the shock of the tournament, as the North Africans won their first ever knockout game at a World Cup. Many Moroccans thought that it could be after the World Cup or in a few years, but none were unhappy when it was announced he would take over the national side less than 100 days before their first game at the World Cup. In African football, Regragui has often been compared with José Mourinho thanks to his tactical discipline and stellar man-management skills. Morocco’s success at the World Cup may be best story of the tournament so far, but it is not the not the result of luck and grit, but rather expertise and planning.

☆ Exclusive: Soccer-765K World Cup visitors fall short of Qatar's expected 1.2M influx
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The influx of visitors represents a 25% boost to the country's resident population of 3 million, of which only about 10-12% are Qataris. More visitors are expected to flock to Qatar for popular matches and after the country lifted entry restrictions for nationals and residents of fellow Gulf states. Previously, world soccer's governing body FIFA said that stadium attendance in Qatar had surpassed attendance at stadiums during a corresponding period at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. On Tuesday, hundreds of Moroccan fans flew into Qatar on special flights arranged ahead of their team's victory over Spain. Visitors to Qatar must obtain a Hayya identification card ahead of travel as it doubles as a mandatory entry visa during the tournament period.

☆ Israel's NewMed signs deal in Morocco for natgas exploration
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Valentina Za | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

JERUSALEM, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Israel's NewMed Energy (NWMDp.TA) said on Tuesday it signed a deal with Morocco's energy and mining ministry and Adarco Energy to explore for and produce natural gas in the Moroccan offshore license Boujdour Atlantique. NewMed and Adarco will each have a 37.5% stake in the license partnership, NewMed said. The Moroccan ministry will hold the remaining 25%. Reporting by Ari RabinovitchOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Achraf Hakimi’s nerveless ‘Panenka’ penalty seals stunning World Cup shock as Morocco beats Spain in shootout to reach quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

CNN —Morocco continued its stunning run at Qatar 2022, beating Spain on penalties to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in its history. Spain missed all three of its spot kicks as Moroccan goalkeeper Bono made himself the hero of the shootout, saving efforts from Sergio Busquets and Carlos Soler, while Pablo Sarabia hit the post. Achraf Hakimi, who was born in Spain, buried the winning penalty with the cheekiest of Panenkas, chipping the ball gently into the middle of the goal to send the thousands of Moroccan fans inside Education Stadium into dreamland. More to follow…

☆ Special Report: In France, minority communities decry a surge in police fines
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Layli Foroudi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +18 min

Hassan Bouchouf received fines on more than two dozen occasions, according to the town’s fine data. The Essonne police department didn’t respond to questions about the fines received by Assam and Bouchouf. After learning of the April 2020 fines, Assam verbally confronted Dumas on the street later that same month, according to both men and a witness. That prompted a review by the prosecutor’s office, which found that police had issued fines to Assam remotely, that person said. The watchdog is investigating about 10 complaints alleging improper police fines, mostly from Paris, according to a person familiar with the matter.

☆ Analysis: Soccer-Morocco success hands Arab world its first World Cup quarter-finalist
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

In doing so, they became the first Arab nation to advance to the last eight, ensuring a breakthrough for the region in the first global tournament in the Middle East, and also became the fourth African side to go this far in World Cup history. The ear-shattering cacophonic combination of singing, drumming, jeering and whistling from Morocco’s supporters has created an atmosphere like no other in Qatar’s stadiums. They were again the vast majority in the capacity 44,667 crowd at the Education City Stadium, completely drowning out the Spain fans. But most of them shuffled from one side to another, rarely producing the penetrative pass Spain were looking for. They will however be mightily concerned to have lost centre back Nayef Aguerd, who limped off in tears in the second half, having just made the World Cup after ankle surgery kept him out for most of the season at his new English club West Ham United.

Spain fans were dejected to see their team crash out of the tournament. "We go back to Spain crying and we will have to reflect," said Julia Calvet, 21, in a Barcelona bar. In Barcelona, Morocco fans packed into the central Raval neighbourhood to celebrate, lighting flares and singing. "We needed to win so that Moroccans have confidence in themselves in Spain," Anass, a 22-year-old Moroccan cook told Reuters in downtown Barcelona. Spain retained the enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta, which were previously colonial territories, after Morocco gained independence in 1956.

☆ Morocco's Hakimi up against country of his birth at World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Achraf Hakimi was born in Madrid but will have little hesitation plotting the downfall of Spain when he and his Moroccan teammates take on the 2010 World Cup winners on Tuesday. The flying wingback is one of the key players in the north African outfit whose last-16 match in the Qatar World Cup against Spain, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, gives them a chance to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. Hakimi could even have been on the opposite side, as he was called up when still a teenager for Spain's junior team. Hakimi was in the side that almost beat them in Kaliningrad in 2018, giving up an injury time equaliser in a 2-2 draw at the last World Cup in Russia. WINNING MENTALITY"Spain are a top five team and always come to the World Cup to win.

☆ Morocco's 'avocado head' plots another World Cup shock
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Shady Amir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Spain, who humbled Costa Rica 7-0 in their opening game, finished second in Group E behind Japan while Morocco defied the odds to win Group F ahead of Croatia and Belgium. The Spanish, world champions in 2010, lost their last group match to Japan and face a difficult test from a Moroccan side growing in confidence under coach Walid Regragui. Spain drew 1-1 with Germany following their rout of Costa Rica and after the loss to Japan coach Luis Enrique was critical of his team. This was impossible because in five minutes, Japan scored two goals ... we were out, we were dismantled," he said. In the first half against Costa Rica, Spain's 537 successful passes set a World Cup record but they will need to show more cutting edge to stay on course for a second world title.

☆ Morocco cruise into knockout stage with 2-1 win over Canada
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Morocco, who needed a win or a draw in their final Group F match to reach the knockout rounds, took advantage of a weak clearance by goalkeeper Milan Borjan that landed on the foot of Hakim Ziyech. With Croatia drawing with Belgium 0-0 in the other Group F game, Morocco finish first in the group and will face the second-place finishers in Group E, which is made up of Japan, Spain, Germany and Costa Rica. Moroccan manager Walid Regragui predicted his side will prove capable of challenging a mighty opponent in the stage. Why shouldn't we dream of winning the World Cup?" Canada, who are exiting their first World Cup since 1986 without a point, automatically qualify for the 2026 tournament as co-hosts along with the United States and Mexico.

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