What's happened
Morocco defeated Jordan 2-1 in the 2025 Arab Cup final at Lusail Stadium, with a stunning early goal from Tannane and a late winner from Hamdallah. Jordan fought back to lead before Morocco's late surge secured their second Arab Cup title amid weather disruptions and dramatic moments.
What's behind the headline?
Morocco's victory underscores their growing dominance in regional and international football, despite missing several European-based players. Their ability to win under pressure, especially with a late goal, highlights tactical resilience. Jordan's impressive run, including reaching the final as a lower-ranked team, signals a rising football nation capable of challenging traditional powerhouses. The weather disruptions and VAR controversies reflect the unpredictable nature of modern tournaments, where technology and environmental factors can sway outcomes. Morocco's win consolidates their status as a leading African and Arab football nation, likely boosting their confidence ahead of AFCON and future global competitions.
What the papers say
The New Arab and France 24 provide detailed accounts of the final, emphasizing Morocco's historic win and Jordan's spirited performance. The New Arab highlights Morocco's resilience despite missing key players, while France 24 notes their previous successes, including reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and winning the Under-20 World Cup. Al Jazeera offers a comprehensive narrative of the match's dramatic moments, including Tannane's spectacular early goal and Hamdallah's decisive late strike, illustrating the high stakes and intense atmosphere of the final.
How we got here
Morocco, a rising football power, has achieved historic milestones recently, including reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and winning the Under-20 World Cup in October 2025. Their success is driven by a mix of European-based stars and a strong regional football infrastructure, with the upcoming AFCON tournament set to further showcase their talent.
Go deeper
- What are Morocco's prospects in upcoming AFCON and World Cup tournaments?
- How does Jordan's performance reflect their football development trajectory?
- Will weather and VAR issues influence future tournament planning?
Common question
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How Did Morocco Reach the Semi-Finals of the World Cup?
Morocco's historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup has captured global attention. Fans and analysts are eager to understand how this North African team defied expectations. From their strategic gameplay to key players, discover what made Morocco's journey so remarkable and what it means for African and Arab football moving forward.
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How Does Morocco's World Cup Success Boost National Pride?
Morocco's recent achievements in international football, including their historic World Cup run and Arab Cup victory, have significantly boosted national pride. Such sports successes often serve as a unifying force, inspiring citizens and elevating the country's global image. But how exactly do these victories impact a nation's identity and future? Below, we explore the various ways sports achievements influence national pride and what they mean for Morocco and similar nations.
More on these topics
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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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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
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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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The Morocco national football team, nicknamed "the Atlas Lions", represents Morocco in men's international football competitions. It is controlled by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, also known as FRMF. The team's colours are red and green. The tea
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Abderrazak "Abdo" Hamdallah is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a striker for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Professional League.