Morocco: A Long-term Dynasty or a One-Hit Wonder?

During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Morocco’s national team made history and reached fourth place of the tournament, beating the likes of Spain, Portugal and Belgium. This achievement was not created out of thin air, but rather a result of a long process of developing a football identity and unique style that sparked a chain reaction across all age groups of Morocco. 

The Moroccan football, especially under Walid Regragui, was emphasized mainly on compact defense and quick transitions, highlighting individual technique and using wide players to create chances. That in turn created a very effective system on both ends of the field and an entertaining fast-paced style of football, earning praise from the likes of Jordan Gardner.

This system was created through the development of a specific type of players that combined the Moroccan creative with influences of European tactical discipline, which was achieved by the Moroccan academy players throughout the academies of the elite football clubs. 

The Moroccan Royal Federation for football basically acquired players that had Moroccan lineage and were training in Europe in the Elite academies. The proof for the success of this strategy can be found in the 2022 WC squad, in which you can find 14 of 26 players that were selected were born outside of Morocco, with the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Sofyan Amrabat, Yassin Bounou, and Achraf Hakimi.