Thousands of jubilant fans took to the streets of Rabat to welcome Morocco's World Cup football heroes back home on Tuesday.
People waved flags, set off fireworks, banged drums and chanted "ole, ole, ole, ole, Maghreb, Maghreb" - the Arabic name for Morocco - as manager Walid Regragui and his players travelled from the airport into the capital on an open-top bus.
The Atlas Lions became the first North African and first Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of the Fifa World Cup and attracted fans across the globe in support of their unexpected run.
Morocco players return to Rabat - in pictures
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King Mohammed VI, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and Prince Moulay Rachid pose with the Moroccan national football team at the royal palace in Rabat. EPA -
King Mohammed with the country's football team and their relatives at the royal palace. AFP -
Moroccans cheer on their national football team in Rabat after their heroics in reaching the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar. EPA -
Moroccans show their support for their football team in Rabat. EPA -
People in Rabat wave flags and chant 'ole, ole, ole, ole, Maghreb, Maghreb' — the Arabic name for Morocco. EPA -
The Atlas Lions became the first North African and first Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of the Fifa World Cup. AP -
Crowds took to the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of the players who travelled from the airport into the capital on an open-top bus. AP -
The heroics of Morocco players won them fans across the world. AFP -
Cheering fans in Rabat celebrate with flares as Morocco's players pass through the city on an open-top bus on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. Reuters -
Fans light flares during the Morocco team's homecoming parade in central Rabat. AP -
Morocco's Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ez during the bus parade in Rabat. Reuters -
The Morocco players wave to fans from their team bus as they parade through central Rabat. AP -
The Morocco players are welcomed home by fans in Rabat. AP -
The Morocco players are greeted by fans in Rabat. AP -
Morocco players parade through the streets of Rabat. Reuters -
Morocco players wave flags on their team bus as fans celebrate with flares. Reuters -
People gather in Rabat to welcome the Morocco team home. AP -
Morocco players on the bus before the start of the parade. Reuters -
Fans prepare for the return of the Morocco football team with flags in the capital Rabat. Reuters -
Crowds gather to welcome the team. AP -
Moroccans gathered on their balconies and hung flags in anticipation of the team's return. Reuters -
The Morocco players stand on their open-top bus. Reuters -
The bus took the players from the airport to Rabat, with fans gathering along the way to welcome their heroes. Reuters -
Fans greeted the bus with cheers and songs as darkness fell in Rabat. AP -
Jubilant crowds lit flares and partied in central Rabat. Reuters -
Morocco's Abderrazak Hamdallah and teammates arrive at the airport before their bus parade. Reuters -
Morocco ended fourth after losing to Croatia in the third-place play-off. Reuters
Despite going into the tournament as underdogs, they topped a group that included Belgium and Croatia, before beating 2010 World Cup winners Spain in the last 16 and 2016 European Champions Portugal in the quarter-finals.
They eventually went out to defending champions France in the semi-finals, in a close-fought game that did nothing to tarnish their reputation as a disciplined unit under manager Regragui.
A global inspiration
The heroics of Morocco players such as Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat and goalkeeper Yassine "Bono" Bounou won them fans across the world throughout their giant-killing campaign.
Thousands of Moroccan fans travelled to Qatar, creating a home-like atmosphere for their team, while others gathered in vast crowds at home and across the Middle East and Europe.
In Dubai, Moroccan fans spoke of their pride and gratitude to the team, who they said represented the Arab world.
The Atlas Lions also picked up plaudits from Arab leaders and celebrities across the region.
“Proud of the lions. Proud of the performance. Proud of the spirit. Proud of the achievement,” wrote Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur hailed the team as "an inspiration to us all."
"I will not be surprised that one day an African country will win the World Cup. I’ve always believed that. I just love the Moroccan spirit and hopefully other countries will follow that path, because honestly nothing is impossible,” she said.
The team were expected to meet Morocco's King Mohammed VI at the royal palace in Rabat later on Tuesday.
The World Cup was eventually won by Argentina, who beat France on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw. Morocco ended fourth after losing to Croatia in the third-place play-off.
