Members of the Moroccan national team line up for the national anthem ahead of a friendly match against Paraguay in Lens, France, on 31 March 2026.
“The North American countries of Canada, Mexico, and the United States are currently hosting the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup. Probably reflecting the expansiveness of the territory in which it is organized, this tournament includes 48 teams. The first round of the knockout stage has not even ended yet, but the usual public polemics regarding ticket prices, affordability, game scheduling, visas, and the uneven conditions under which supporters and teams are required to navigate this global event are vividly underway. However, the performance of Ayyoub Bouaddi, the previously unknown 18-year-old Franco-Moroccan midfielder, in his team’s game against Brazil diverted attention from these issues to fascinating questions about postcolonialism, citizenship, and belonging. Dazzled by the Moroccan national team’s historic match with Brazil, commentators from both the Global North and the Global South started wondering what made this miracle possible. …”
Africa Is a Country