Morocco is the first African team to reach the semifinal stage of the World Cup

Present at the World Cup since the 1934 edition –when Egypt lost its only match, 4-2, to Hungary, in Italy–, Africa had never placed a representative among the top four. That changed this Saturday (10).

Morocco defeated Portugal 1-0 and advanced to the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. With just one goal conceded in five matches in the competition, he showed strength for the longest campaign by a country on his continent.

The most reached by an African had been the quarterfinals: Cameroon, in 1990, Senegal, in 2002, and Ghana, in 2010. The Moroccans repeated the feat, surpassed it and still dream of more.

The next match for the team coached by Walid Regragui will be next Wednesday (14th), at the Al Bayt stadium, in Al Khor. The opponent in the semifinal confrontation will come out of the duel between England and France, who will measure forces later this Saturday.

Morocco is not considered an African football powerhouse. It has only one African Cup of Nations title, won in 1976. Seven countries have more continental cups. The list is led by Egypt, with seven trophies, followed by Cameroon, with five.

In Qatar, the other representatives from Africa were Senegal, Tunisia, Cameroon and Ghana. Senegal stopped in the round of 16, defeated by 3-0 by England. The others had their campaigns ended in the group stage.

Morocco, on the other hand, surprised by leading the group that had Croatia –another qualified for the semifinals–, Belgium and Canada. In the knockout stage, they beat Spain on penalties, after a goalless draw, before overthrowing Portugal.

The best African campaigns at the World Cup

nineteen ninety

Cameroon – eliminated in the quarterfinals

2002

Senegal – eliminated in the quarterfinals

2010

Ghana – eliminated in the quarterfinals

2022

Morocco – live in the semifinals