Morocco’s intoxicating run shows why they should host the 2030 World Cup

About 50 minutes before kickoff, it became obvious that this was not a well-organized evening of football. The field was only 10 percent full. The French goalkeepers team ran to get started on their warm-up. The response was deafening. A cacophony blared from the far end as a few hundred Moroccans invaded the bottom tier. The French players followed, and the whistles became a terrible creak. Things were about to get messy. There was anger in there.

They were singing, dancing and drumming when they weren’t making fun at the French. Their first World Cup semi-final. Their cheers were loud, continuous, and varied as one fan interpreted half-time with several Moroccan flags fluttering around him. “Always Morocco! A regular “Boys, bring him home!” An impassioned plea. And “Goal!” Goal! Goal!” They were trying to get the ball in the net by sucking it into the net when it was close. Later, they went on to a thrilling thunderclap. A woman pointed accusingly at everyone around her and told them to stand up as if every ticket were a conscription to fight.

The night before, Croatia was weakened by Argentina’s first goal. They conceded a quick second and lost their foothold in the game. Morocco conceded much earlier, but they didn’t relent. Their fans were stunned for a brief moment but they were roaring with joy when the ball returned to their center.

For a long period, the score was 1-0. It was already decided in the second-half when France fought off waves after waves of Moroccan attacks. France held firm despite the overwhelming pressure. The game was over when Kylian Mbappe was swinging between tired legs. Randall Kolo Mwani scored and it was over.

It was difficult to discern if you were witnessing something ending or just beginning. But Morocco made a strong case for more. The country has bid five failed bids to host the World Cup — bested by the USA in 1994, lost by France in 1998, thrashed in 2006, South Africa knocked out in 2010 and North America traded out of the water in 2026 — and will be the lucky number six in The year is 2030. Based on all this evidence, it is hard to believe otherwise.

This country has a deep love of football. It has a vibrant club scene, from Tangiers to Marrakech. There are intense competitions and more CAF Champions League title than any other country. Walid Regragui, Morocco coach, led Wydad, the largest-ever Asian side to continental glory earlier in the year. It boasts six stadiums capable of hosting 45,000+. It boasts a talented national team, which is well-known around the world. They are made up of players from different backgrounds who are proud to be part of their country.

Morocco’s bid faces stiff competition, not only because Spain and Portugal have already announced their intention to host them together. Saudi Arabia’s bid could prove more difficult due to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s disjointed friendship and Saudi dictator Mohammed bin Salman. Infantino has been seen hosting crown prince in Qatar.

It will be 20 years since Africa hosted the last World Cup. And it’s already too late to host another one. If the huge cost of hosting mega sporting events are any benefit, then it is in a region as North Africa that could use this platform to invest in infrastructure and show itself rather than in Qatar, which is glorified. The airport terminal in the desert has built new stadiums at a staggering cost to the country as well as the planet.

Morocco has been bidding for the rights for a long time; they really want it and the country’s passion for football is being shown to the rest of the world.

Mbappe’s goal was scored and it was like the Moroccan fans were unsure of what to do. Perhaps this is understandable. They have not conceded more than two goals in a match to this point. They soon found their voice. The players of Morocco slowly rose from the ground and began to walk toward their fans, kneeling down and offering thanks. The most audible sound was a deep howl. This ended the night of hostility that had begun with hostility.