Sport

World Cup

Thousands flock to streets of Rabat to welcome Morocco's returning World Cup heroes

Walid Regragui and his Atlas Lions players given spectacular homecoming after their exploits in Qatar

The National

December 20, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

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

  • 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 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
    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 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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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 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 welcomed home by fans in Rabat. AP
  • The Morocco players are greeted 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 parade through the streets of Rabat. Reuters
  • Morocco players wave flags on their team bus as fans celebrate with flares. 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
    People gather in Rabat to welcome the Morocco team home. AP
  • Morocco players on the bus before the start of the parade. Reuters
    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
    Fans prepare for the return of the Morocco football team with flags in the capital Rabat. Reuters
  • Crowds gather to welcome the team. AP
    Crowds gather to welcome the team. AP
  • Moroccans gathered on their balconies and hung flags in anticipation of the team's return. Reuters
    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 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
    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
    Fans greeted the bus with cheers and songs as darkness fell in Rabat. AP
  • Jubilant crowds lit flares and partied in central Rabat. Reuters
    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'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
    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.

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Morocco return after the World Cup - Rabat, Morocco - December 20, 2022 Morocco players are pictured on a bus REUTERS / Abdelhak Balhaki
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Morocco return after the World Cup - Rabat, Morocco - December 20, 2022 Morocco players are pictured on a bus REUTERS / Abdelhak Balhaki

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.

The specs: 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet

Price, base: Dh429,090

Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission Seven-speed automatic

Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque 700Nm @ 1,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 9.2L / 100km

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2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

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“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

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The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

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Neil Thomson – THE BIO

Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.

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Updated: December 21, 2022, 6:59 AM
World CupMorocco