What's happened
Morocco reached the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup, defeating Jordan in the Arab Cup final. Morocco also secured the Under-20 World Cup title and is hosting the Africa Cup of Nations. Jordan's team, ranked 66th, made a surprising run to the final, despite expectations of Moroccan dominance.
What's behind the headline?
Morocco's football achievements highlight its rising status in international sports, driven by a strong youth development system and recent successes. Their semi-final appearance in the 2022 World Cup and Under-20 victory demonstrate a strategic focus on nurturing talent. The country's hosting of AFCON further cements its regional influence. Jordan's unexpected appearance in the Arab Cup final, despite a lower FIFA ranking, signals a growing football culture and potential for future breakthroughs. The contrasting trajectories of these two nations reflect broader regional shifts in sports development, with Morocco leveraging its historical successes to bolster national pride and international standing. The upcoming AFCON will test Morocco's ability to maintain its momentum, while Jordan's performance suggests they could become a more formidable contender in future tournaments.
What the papers say
France 24 reports Morocco's historic semi-final run in the 2026 World Cup, highlighting their victory over Jordan in the Arab Cup final and their recent youth titles. The New Arab provides additional context, noting Morocco's achievements despite missing European-based players and their role as a regional sports leader. Both sources emphasize Morocco's rising football stature and Jordan's surprising progress, with the latter's lower FIFA ranking contrasted against their impressive tournament run. The articles collectively underscore the shifting dynamics in Middle Eastern and North African football, with Morocco emerging as a dominant force and Jordan gaining recognition for their resilience and growth.
How we got here
Morocco's recent football success includes reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and winning the Under-20 World Cup in October. The country is also hosting the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. Jordan, making their World Cup debut in 2026, has experienced a football renaissance, qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and reaching the 2023 AFC Asian Cup final.
Go deeper
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Oussama Tannane is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a winger for Vitesse. A youth international for the Netherlands, he represents the Morocco national team.
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Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, with land borders with Algeria to the east and Western Sahara to th
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Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is an Arab country in Western Asia, on the East Bank of the Jordan River. Jordan is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and the east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and Israel and Palestine