Moroccans brace for World Cup clash against France

The clouds over Rabat, Morocco’s capital, have threatened storms all day and have seemed fitting as the atmosphere ahead of Wednesday’s match is electrifying.

Speaking to people on the streets, ahead of the first semi-final between Argentina and Croatia, a Croatian win was preferable – with shouts of “Modrić!” “Messi!”.

And, on a rooftop bar in the city centre, there was a resentful acknowledgement that Morocco, if they made it that far, would be facing Argentina in the final.

“Argentina is an extremely dangerous and defiant team,” says Thomas. “Messi is just playing like another star.”

But there is still an element of optimism: “Morocco made it through to the semi-finals, why shouldn’t they beat Argentina? Morocco is a fantastic team, and I’m really crossing my thumbs for them to win,” he continues. “Anything can happen and because anything can happen, also, Morocco can win the final.”

It’s worth remembering that Morocco doesn’t have just the backing of a continent but that of another whole region – the Arab world.

And that support is palpable on the rooftop in Rabat. This is a melting pot of historical colonialism and a difference in identification. Is this an African win? An Arab win? And what about the French element?

Charles, from Cameroon, is watching the Argentina vs Croatia match with a very stiff drink. We asked him who he’s supporting:

“Morocco, ahead of France, Morocco, Morocco, Morocco, Morocco,” he says. “Morocco because they are the underdogs, everyone loves the underdog. It’s like David and Goliath. France is Goliath in this case. We don’t like the villains. So, Morocco all the way.”

But for the Moroccan fans, this is Morocco’s World Cup. This is Africa’s World Cup. That’s the only way they see it.

“Maybe they might win the World Cup, who knows?” says Charles. “It’s a big thing to say right now but we really hope that they win, obviously, it’s Africa. Come on. So, it’ll be a first, it’ll be a first for the World Cup if Morocco wins.”