Morocco, known as the Kingdom of Light, has a rich history in sports, particularly soccer. The Atlas Lions, Morocco's national football team, have thrilled the world with their achievements, uniting Moroccans in joy and passion. However, alongside soccer, American football has also found a place in the country, albeit with its own unique set of challenges and triumphs.
The Atlas Lions made history at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals. This achievement has further fueled the passion for sports in the country.
Secret behind the success of Moroccan national football team
The Emergence of American Football in Morocco
American football emerged in Morocco in 2012. Despite its relatively recent introduction, the sport has garnered attention and participation, particularly among the youth. However, it does not yet hold a place in Moroccan society as strong as soccer and basketball.
One of the key figures in promoting American football in Morocco is Fouzia Madhouni, a Muslim athlete and activist. Besides her role as the founder of the Jaguar association, Madhouni is also a key player in her team, she battles poverty, gender discrimination, and breast cancer while launching a youth football academy in Morocco. Madhouni did not give up as her squad had prepared for the match in advance and spent days at a preparation camp.
Madhouni urged other players and anyone affected by sexism and harassment to not let such behavior hold them back. “Our greatest achievement is that we showed the world that American football is for everyone, and as a team, we are trying to create more leaders. “We started from scratch. In our first phase, we couldn’t even afford to get professional balls for the match.
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The Jaguars are set to host Cooper on March 7. “She came to Morocco and brought us several balls.
Challenges Faced by American Football in Morocco
Despite its noteworthy beginnings, American football in Morocco still faces many challenges, including the limited availability of equipment and financial constraints. There are many challenges standing in Madhouni’s way, not the least financial ones.
“It is a real challenge. But determination and hard work always pay off.” Besides her role as the founder of the Jaguar association, Madhouni is also a key player in her team.
Having arrived at the pitch where they were due to face off against the Lioness team, the Jaguar women were taken by surprise. “We still receive such comments. I recently experienced such an act.
The Role of Ultras in Moroccan Football Culture
Football’s origins in Morocco date back to the French and Spanish Protectorates (1912-1956) when many of today’s clubs emerged. During the post-independence period, the regime steered and tightly controlled the sport’s development. King Hassan II, who ruled the country from 1962 to 1999, took a strong interest in football, directly intervening in both the FRMF and the management of individual clubs.
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Many officials were either directly appointed or approved by the palace, and the king’s allies and friends were bestowed ownership of major clubs. Hassan II created the Royal Armed Forces Sports Association club (ASFAR), which has become one of the two main teams in Rabat. Nicknamed the “king’s team,” it was established as a military sports initiative.
The first ultras to emerge on the scene in Morocco were the “Green Boys,” who arose around the football club Raja Casablanca in 2005. Their crosstown rivals, Wydad, later formed their own association, calling themselves the “Winners.” From 2005 to 2011, the ultra scene more or less mirrored hardcore fan traditions of Europe and Latin America.
The 2011 popular uprisings marked the beginning of a palpable transition toward greater political engagement among ultras. As with many other regional countries, large swathes of Morocco’s citizenry took part in demonstrations across major cities and towns to press for political, social and economic changes. Unlike leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, Mohammed VI quickly responded by pledging socio-economic reforms, drafting a new constitution and initiating fresh elections to be held the following November.
In 2016, the Moroccan state attempted to ban ultras in response to “Black Sunday,” when three people were killed and over 80 injured following a match between Raja and Al-Hoceima. The ban had the opposite effect, however, further politicizing and uniting the ultras. Ultras stood united, not only in their opposition to the ban but also against the palace-aligned elites.
The 2016-2019 ultra ban exacerbated such anti-status quo sentiments, as state-induced violence fueled ultra anger and even retaliatory violence. For instance, throughout 2017, the Winners regularly brandished tifos outlining their hostility toward authorities and chanting, “We came to clash with the government!”
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Ultras of Raja Club Athletic sing "Fbladi Dalmouni" during a CAF Champions League match in Casablanca in March 2018.
Moroccan National Football Team: A Historical Perspective
One of Africa's most successful national football teams, Morocco won the 1976 African Cup of Nations, two African Nations Championships, and a FIFA Arab Cup while participating in the FIFA World Cup six times. In 1986, they made history as the first African team to top a World Cup group and advance to the knockout stage, where they lost 1-0 to West Germany.
Thirty-six years later, at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Morocco once again defied expectations, topping a group that included Croatia, Canada and Belgium. The Atlas Lions were ranked 10th in the FIFA World Rankings in April 1998. They were ranked as the top African national team for three consecutive years, from 1997 to 1999, and again since December 2022.
The Moroccan national team was founded in 1928 and played its first game on 22 December of that year against France's B team, losing 2-1. These associations of settler clubs and local footballers, in addition to having their own championship, clashed with each other in a tournament that Morocco won several times, such as in 1948-1949.
On 19 October 1957, at the second edition of the Arab Games in Lebanon, Morocco made its debut as an independent country against Iraq, at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, and drew 3-3. At the tournament, Morocco recorded their first-ever win, defeating Libya 5-1, then beat Tunisia 3-1 to reach the semi-finals.
In 1960, Morocco competed in World Cup qualification for the first time. Drawn against Tunisia in the first round, Morocco won the first leg 2-1, while Tunisia won the second leg by the same score. A play-off held in Palermo, Italy finished in a draw, so a coin toss was used to determine who progressed. Morocco won the toss, and beat Ghana 1-0 on aggregate to reach the inter-continental play-offs.
Morocco participated in the final phase of an international competition for the first time at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Having qualified under the leadership of manager Mohamed Massoun, the Moroccans were included in a group of three teams due to the withdrawal of North Korea.
On 3 June 1970, against West Germany, Morocco opened the scoring with a goal in the 21st minute of the game scored by Houmane Jarir. In the second half, however, the Germans scored twice and won 2-1. The Atlas Lions then played against Peru, conceding three goals in ten minutes to lose 3-0. On 11 June 1970, the eliminated Moroccans drew with Bulgaria 1-1.
Morocco, coached by the Romanian Virgil Mărdărescu and captained by Faras, took the continental throne at 1976 African Cup of Nations, in only the country's second participation in the competition. After failing to qualify for the 1974 FIFA World Cup, they also missed the 1978 and 1982 tournaments.
Morocco qualified for the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, and topped a group consisting Portugal, England and Poland, thanks to two draws against the English and Polish and a 3-1 win against the Portuguese. However, they were narrowly eliminated by West Germany in the first knockout round, thanks to a goal from Lothar Matthäus one minute from the end of regulation time.
Morocco took part in the 2004 African Cup of Nations, drawn into Group D defeating Nigeria 1-0, defeating Benin 4-0 and drawing 1-1 with South Africa. In 2014, Morocco debuted in the African Nations Championship after failing to qualify in the 2009 and 2011 editions.
Key Achievements of Moroccan Football Clubs
Moroccan clubs have a successful track record on the continent. Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) has won several titles: the African Champions Cup (1992, 2017, 2022) and the African Super Cup (2018). The success of Raja Club Athletic (RCA) is echoing throughout Africa. The Green Eagles have won several titles: the African Super Cup (2000), the African Champions Cup (1989, 1997, 1999) and the Arab Champions League (2006).
The Renaissance Sportive of Berkane (RSB), a historic club from the Oriental region, is multiplying its exploits. In 2020, the club won the African Football Confederation Cup and later repeated its feat in 2022. In the same year, it was crowned winner of the African Super Cup.
The Future of American Football in Morocco
Despite the challenges, there are initiatives aimed at expanding American football in Morocco. Audible Football Camp has been organizing American football conferences in international cities, including Morocco, to promote the sport.
Rabat Pirates also has a women’s team to provide Moroccan women the same opportunities as men. For the past five years, Audible Football Camp has taken the initiative to organize American football conferences in international cities in an effort to expand the sport’s reputation and the association’s core philosophy.
In recent years, American football has flourished in Morocco, astonishing the global community. most importantly, the event will demonstrate to both the local and international communities that American football is a sport which requires a lot of commitment, perseverance, hard work, as well as team work.
| Team | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) | African Champions Cup | 1992, 2017, 2022 |
| Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) | African Super Cup | 2018 |
| Raja Club Athletic (RCA) | African Super Cup | 2000 |
| Raja Club Athletic (RCA) | African Champions Cup | 1989, 1997, 1999 |
| Raja Club Athletic (RCA) | Arab Champions League | 2006 |
| Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RSB) | African Football Confederation Cup | 2020, 2022 |
| Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RSB) | African Super Cup | 2022 |
