• Loading stock data...
Thursday, March 28, 2024
2024 Best Venues nominations are open now through April 8! Submit Now

Morocco’s 13-Year Road to the World Cup Semi-Final

  • The king of Morocco established the Mohammed VI Football Academy in 2009.
  • Morocco's soccer federation also sought out and converted eligible players around Europe.
Morocco's starting line-up against France in the World Cup semi-final
Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

Morocco’s historic run to the 2022 World Cup semi-final — where it is the first African team to reach that stage — began in 2009.

That was the year Mohammed VI, the king of Morocco, established the Mohammed VI Football Academy — an institution designed to find and develop the best young footballers in the North African nation.

The facility covers 2.5 square kilometers and cost a reported $16.8 million to build. It features outdoor and indoor soccer pitches, a school with a teaching program supported by Morocco’s ministry of education, and a full-service medical center.

Nasser Larguet was tasked by Mohammed VI with heading up the Academy when it first launched. Per The Athletic, Larguet was hugely influential in not only discovering talent within Morocco, but also in seeking out eligible foreign-born players and convincing them to play for the Atlas Lions.

  • Achraf Hakimi (Spain)
  • Sofyan Amrabat (Netherlands)
  • Noussair Mazraoui (Netherlands)
  • Sofiane Boufal (France)
Moroccan fans hold up national flag and scarfs while supporting their team

Morocco Giving Away Tickets for World Cup Match

As many as 13,000 free tickets are being distributed to Moroccan fans.
December 13, 2022

Larguet is also credited with noticing Walid Regragui’s aptitude for managing early on.

Regragui has drawn much acclaim for his leadership three months into the job as the head of Morocco’s men’s national team — but his $618,000 salary pales in comparison to France’s Didier Deschamps, who is bringing in $3.8 million per year.

Deschamps is one of the most accomplished coaches in the World Cup, having won the tournament as both a player and manager — and being the only of the top four highest-paid managers in the world to make it to the semis.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The NFLPA Report Card Is Doing Exactly What It Was Intended For

Robert Kraft hasn’t gone to school in nearly 60 years, but on Tuesday the Patriots’ owner found himself talking about his report card. 

How Lack of Planning by NCAA, Gonzaga Led to Racial Abuse of Utah Athletes

The NCAA gave Gonzaga a waiver to place teams in an extremist hotbed.

NCAA President Calls for Nationwide Ban on College Prop Bets

The NCAA president is reacting to the recent betting turmoil in sports.

It Remains Unclear Which Authorities Shohei Ohtani Has Reported Theft of Millions to, If Any

A federal investigation is ongoing, but it’s not clear what it covers.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

MLB Opens Season With MLBPA, Ohtani, and Ownership Dramas

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

March 22, 2024, Brooklyn, NY, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Brooks Barnhizer (13) and Northwestern Wildcats guard Boo Buie (0) react in overtime against the Florida Atlantic Owls in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the Barclays Center.
March 27, 2024

‘An Expensive Game’: March Madness and NIL Collectives Are Intertwined

At schools nationwide, collectives are fueling NCAA tournament runs and vice versa.
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark (22) waits to be announced in the starting lineup against West Virginia in a NCAA Tournament round of 32 game Monday, March 25, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
March 26, 2024

The Women’s Trading Card Market Is Overlooked. Can Caitlin Clark Change That?

Traditionally, women’s sports cards have been a marginal part of collectibles.
The Sports Illustrated cover signed by Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, February 27, 2019, at Don & Charlie's, 7501 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. Don Charlie S
March 24, 2024

Everything You Need to Know About the Ongoing ‘Sports Illustrated’ Saga

Understanding the strange state of affairs for the nearly 70-year-old publication.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Adidas
Multiple - USA Careers
Spotify
Multiple - USA Careers

Ukraine’s Improbable Soccer Run Continues With Euros Qualification

The country reaches its first major soccer tournament since Russia’s invasion began.
March 4, 2024

FIA President Under Investigation for Alleged F1 Race Tinkering 

Mohammed Ben Sulayem is being scrutinized for his role in overturning a crucial penalty at F1’s 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. 
March 6, 2024

Super Bowl LVIII Scores Big With International Viewers

The NFL gets a 10% global boost compared to last year.
Sponsored

How Daily Fantasy Sports Solved NBA Fantasy

The remarkable growth of the #1 Discord sports server in the world.
February 29, 2024

Paris Games Gain Momentum With $2B Completion of Olympic Village

The $2.2 billion housing project finished on time and was essentially on budget.
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford passes during the first half against the Everton.
February 26, 2024

Everton Financial Punishment Trimmed After Appeal Is Partially Successful

Everton’s appeal of the EPL’s 10-point punishment was reduced to a six-point loss.
Lionel Messi
February 23, 2024

Copa América Tickets Climb in Latest Lionel Messi Effect

Tickets for Argentina’s game in Miami are pushing five figures.
German protests
February 21, 2024

German Football League Abandons Outside Investment After Protests

Bundesliga rethinks $1 billion media rights plan.