Algeria secured a historic qualification for the semifinals of the Women’s AFCON and for the 2027 World Cup on Saturday. In its dispatch devoted to this achievement, the official APS news agency nevertheless omits one detail: the victory was achieved in Casablanca, Morocco.
Just hours before the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations derby, several Algerian media outlets replaced Morocco in their headlines with a surprising formula: the "host country". In their articles, however, they acknowledge the difficulty of the match against the Lionesses of the Atlas.
Morocco’s entry into the 2030 World Cup bid would have been worked on as early as 2018, well before the official announcement in 2023. Messages between Luis Rubiales, Karima Benyaich and Pedro Sánchez are reigniting tensions in Spain.
Eliminated by France (2-0) in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals, Morocco failed to convince the foreign press. From London to Milan, analyses point to a team that was too cautious, almost harmless, against clearly superior Blues.
Just hours before the quarter-final between Morocco and France, part of the French press chose to highlight controversies surrounding the Lions of the Atlas rather than their sporting performance. Security, the Hakimi affair, supposed tensions: the framing raises questions.
Morocco’s press conference ahead of the World Cup quarter-final against France was disrupted by a clash between two journalists. A brief incident, but revealing of the electric atmosphere surrounding this World Cup showdown.
The French press approaches the France-Morocco quarter-final with caution. After the difficult victory of the Blues against Paraguay and Morocco’s qualification against Canada, the Lions of the Atlas are no longer presented as a surprise, but as an opponent established at the highest level.
A Moroccan supporter caught the attention of the Spanish press during the match against the Netherlands. His outfit, his gesture in the stands and the map of Morocco he was wearing were interpreted as a political message by a Spanish media outlet.
In the Netherlands, Oranje’s elimination by Morocco is experienced as both a tactical and sporting failure. In a severe analysis, NOS believes that Ronald Koeman abandoned the principles of Dutch football by excessively adapting his team to the Atlas Lions.
Pro-Polisario media outlets celebrated too soon. Massad Boulos, special adviser to Donald Trump, categorically denied rumors announcing his removal. The American mediator reaffirmed his total commitment to resolving the Sahara issue .
Before the shock match against Morocco, the Dutch press is not swept up in euphoria. The Oranje finished first in their group, but local media see this match primarily as a revealing test of their own vulnerabilities.
On the eve of a Netherlands-Morocco Round of 16 clash at the World Cup, the Dutch press oscillates between respect and caution. Seduced by Morocco’s performances against Brazil and Scotland, several media outlets also point out its alarming ball losses against Haiti.