'France is my country too', say French-Moroccan fans after World Cup 2022 defeat

Supporters of Morocco say Atlas Lions 'made the Arab world proud'

Morocco's Abde Ezzalzouli looks downcast after France celebrate their second goal in the 2-0 World Cup semi-final win at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, on December 14, 2022. EPA

Morocco's Romain Saiss consoles Achraf Hakimi at the end of the match. AP

Morocco players kneel on the pitch at the end of the match. AP

France's Kylian Mbappe hugs Morocco's Achraf Hakimi. AP

Morocco coach Walid Regragui acknowledges the fans after the match. Reuters

France forward Randal Kolo Muani celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal. AFP

France substitute Randal Kolo Muani celebrates after scoring the second goal against Morocco. Getty

Randal Kolo Muani celebrates scoring. AP

Randal Kolo Muani scores the second goal for France. Getty

France's Theo Hernandez (R) celebrates scoring the first goal with Olivier Giroud. EPA

Theo Hernandez scores the opening goal past Yassine Bounou of Morocco. Getty

Theo Hernandez celebrates after scoring the first goal for France. Getty

Theo Hernandez celebrates after scoring. Getty

Morocco's Jawad El Yamiq goes close with an overhead kick. AFP

Kylian Mbappe is frustrated. Getty

Kylian Mbappe after a missed chance. Getty

Morocco's Romain Saiss is substituted by Selim Amallah during the first half. AP

Kylian Mbappe is challenged by Yassine Bounou and Achraf Dari. Getty

France's Olivier Giroud in action. AP

Aurelien Tchouameni of France reacts after a challenge with Sofyan Amrabat. Getty

Antoine Griezmann during the semi-final. Getty

Ibrahima Konateof France in action against Achraf Hakimi of Morocco. EPA

France's Ousmane Dembele and Morocco's Yahia Attiyat Allah challenge for the ball. AP

French-Moroccan fans who were rooting for the Atlas Lions say they will now rally behind France as their second choice after Les Bleus secured a place in the World Cup final with a 2-0 win on Wednesday evening.

“I'm sad for Morocco because their win would have made history but they still made history by accessing the semi-finals,” French-Moroccan podcast producer Anas Daif told The National.

“They made a whole continent proud and they made the Arab world proud.

“People won't see our players the same way any more. Now, I'm focused on the French team. I hope they win. I'm happy for them. France is my country too. It's a bittersweet feeling.”

Nooreddin Asha, 42, who has lived in France for 19 years, said the Moroccan team's performance was “excellent, barring a few mistakes”.

“Morocco now boasts an elite sports team, which was seen on the global stage. The French team won and we are not upset; at the end we'll support France in its aim for the title,” he said.

“There is joy in the streets and this is a natural thing. There is also an awareness that this is a sport and we hope that no incidents take place among the different fans.”

Hours after the match, French police said a boy was killed during riots between French and Moroccan fans in Montpellier. The Herault administration said the boy was 14 years old.

Morocco could still finish third if they beat Croatia, who lost against Argentina in the other semi-final on Tuesday.

Youssef, who lives in Paris, said he was proud that Morocco was the first Arab and African team to reach a World Cup semi-final.

There was an outpouring of support for the team on Twitter after their brave campaign came to an end.

“Never thought a football game will make me cry. Love to all the Moroccan fans across the globe,” wrote one user.

Others expressed their thanks to the Moroccan team, including one user whose post was accompanied by a picture of a lion in a hoodie, playing on the team's nickname.

“Hard luck Morocco. A historic accomplishment, and an honourable one,” wrote another user.