Less than 24 hours before the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match between France and Morocco at Boston Stadium, the official FIFA fan zone in Boston was dismantled and shut down. Workers took apart scaffolding and packed away match-screening equipment, marking the end of the World Cup festivities in the US city known as “Titletown” for its sports legacy.

Morocco’s supporters have shown unwavering faith in their team, recalling the surprise run of the Atlas Lions in the Qatar World Cup 2022, where they eliminated several top teams before falling to France in the semifinals. Ismael Chaouie, who traveled from Casablanca to support Morocco, told Al Jazeera, “We truly believe in this team, and we back them to avenge the pain of 2022.”

However, Morocco faces a significant challenge as injured player Saibari is out of the quarterfinal match. Rahim, a long-time follower of the team, emphasized the importance of head coach Mohamed Ouahabi preventing France’s star player Mbappe from settling into the game.

Rahim also referenced a recent VAR controversy in Argentina’s 3-2 win over Egypt in the last-16 match, underscoring the high stakes and tensions surrounding the tournament.

The quarterfinal clash between Mbappe-led France and Morocco is set to kick off the World Cup quarterfinals, with fans in Boston and around the world eagerly anticipating the match.

Sources