AP PHOTOS: Morocco’s World Cup success stirs national pride

Dec 12, 2022, 12:55 PM | Updated: Dec 13, 2022, 3:01 am

A full moon rises over supporters of Wydad Athletic Club during the second leg of the CAF Champions League final against Egypt's Al Ahly Sporting Club, in Casablanca, Morocco, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2017. Wydad defeated Al Ahly 2-1 on aggregate to win the CAF Champions League. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

(AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Fans of Raja AC light flares during a match against FAR Rabat, in the Moroccan league, in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Morocco's national team head coach Walid Regragui presents the CAF Super Cup trophy before the game between Moroccan teams RS Berkane and Wydad AC, in Rabat, Morocco, Saturday Sept. 10, 2022. RS Berkane were crowned CAF Super Cup champions for the first time after defeating Wydad Casablanca 2-0 on Saturday evening. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Moroccans celebrate qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1998, in Rabat, Morocco, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. Morocco sealed its place by winning in Ivory Coast 2-0 in what was a straight shootout for the place from Group C. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Supporters of Morocco's RS Berkane light flares to celebrate their team's first goal against Wydad AC in the CAF Super Cup 2022 soccer match, in Rabat, Morocco, Saturday Sept. 10, 2022. RS Berkane were crowned CAF Super Cup champions for the first time after defeating Wydad Casablanca 2-0 on Saturday evening. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Players of FAR Rabat soccer team and their rivals Raja Casablanca compete for the ball during a match in the Moroccan league, in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Boys play football on a beach in Rabat, Morocco, Monday, June 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Children play football in the snow in Tighanmin, a Middle Atlas village near Azilal, central Morocco, Thursday Feb. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Morocco and DR Congo players walk at the beginning of the the soccer playoff match in World Cup 2022 Africa qualifiers, in Casablanca, Morocco, Tuesday, Mar 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Children play football in an alleyway in the old Medina of Marrakech, Morocco, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Youth play football during a locally-organized tournament between different tribes, in Kelaat M'Gouna town, southern Morocco, Monday Feb. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Security forces stand guard as fans of FAR Rabat soccer team light flares and chant slogans during a match against their rivals Raja Casablanca in the Moroccan league, in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Amazigh boys play football underneath the High Atlas mountains, next to Ouarzazate, central Morocco, Monday Feb. 1, 2016.. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Morocco soccer fans celebrate after their national team beat Canada 2-1 and qualified to the knockout stages at a World Cup soccer match played in Qatar, in Rabat, Morocco, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Many soccer fans around the world have been surprised by Morocco’s success at the World Cup in Qatar, where it became the first African and Arab country to make it to the semifinals of the tournament.

But the North African country has long had a deep passion for soccer. Young boys can be seen playing the game on the streets or on dusty fields, from the snowy foothills of the Atlas Mountains to the medina of Marrakech.

Local club teams such as Casablanca’s Wydad AC, Raja CA and Rabat’s AS FAR have die-hard fans known for vibrant chants and colorful choreographies.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui has become a national hero following the team’s impressive World Cup run. Before taking over the national team, he led Wydad AC to victory in this year’s African Champion’s League.

Morocco’s 1-0 victory over Portugal in the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday sparked nationwide celebreations, with car horns sounding through the night in Casablanca, and residents thronging the streets of the capital, Rabat. Morocco next faces defending World Cup champion France on Wednesday in the semifinals.

___

AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Associated Press

Ex-Packer Guion gets 1 year for domestic violence assault

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading no contest in a domestic violence assault at his home last fall. Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh also ordered Guion on Tuesday to serve three years’ probation and complete a domestic […]

7 months ago

Associated Press

Durant eager for Suns debut vs. Hornets after knee injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kevin Durant has been through quite a bit during his 15-year NBA career — but joining a new team midway through the season is a new one for the 13-time All-Star. The 34-year-old Durant doesn’t seem all that worried. Durant makes his highly anticipated Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday night against […]

7 months ago

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores stands on the sideline during the second half of an N...

Associated Press

Judge: NFL coach can press discrimination claims in court

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Coach Brian Flores can pursue some of his discrimination claims against the league and its teams in court rather than through arbitration, a judge ruled Wednesday. The written decision by Judge Valerie Caproni in Manhattan was issued months after lawyers for the league tried to get the lawsuit moved to […]

7 months ago

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock cools off in the first period during an NHL hockey game ...

Associated Press

Kane trade reinforces hard reality of Blackhawks rebuild

CHICAGO (AP) — After days of speculation, the harsh reality of the Chicago Blackhawks’ situation was reinforced by one move in a flurry of transactions ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Showtime is over, at least in Chicago, and a seemingly bright future is, well, way off in the distance. The reverberations of Chicago’s decision […]

7 months ago

FILE - Yves Jean-Bart, president of the Haitian Football Federation, wearing a protective face mas...

Associated Press

Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces he’s back

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s former soccer federation president whose lifetime ban from sport over sexual abuse allegations was overturned last month announced Wednesday that he is reclaiming his position. Yves Jean-Bart’s defiant announcement could lead to a standoff with FIFA, which already has appointed an emergency management committee to lead the Haitian Football Association […]

7 months ago

FILE - Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after an NFL football game against the ...

Associated Press

Rodgers says decision on future will come ‘soon enough’

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers says he will make a decision on his future “soon enough” as the four-time MVP quarterback ponders whether to play next season and if his future remains with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers, 39, discussed his future while speaking on an episode of the “Aubrey Marcus Podcast” that […]

7 months ago