Morocco Set For Women's World Cup Debut in Another Landmark

FILE - The United States players hold the trophy as they celebrate winning the Women's World Cup final soccer match against The Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France on July 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
FILE - The United States players hold the trophy as they celebrate winning the Women's World Cup final soccer match against The Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France on July 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
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Morocco Set For Women's World Cup Debut in Another Landmark

FILE - The United States players hold the trophy as they celebrate winning the Women's World Cup final soccer match against The Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France on July 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
FILE - The United States players hold the trophy as they celebrate winning the Women's World Cup final soccer match against The Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France on July 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)

Months after the men's groundbreaking run to the semi-finals in Qatar, Morocco's women will make World Cup history of their own on Monday.

When the Atlas Lionesses face two-times former champions Germany in Melbourne they will be the first Arab team to play at a Women's World Cup.

It has not gone unnoticed in a country mad about football and still buzzing from what their men did at the Qatar World Cup in December.

"They will do just as well as the men," said 14-year-old Rabab Tougha after a training session at the football school of the local club in the Casablanca neighbourhood of Avadas, AFP reported.

It is her ambition to play the sport internationally, "especially after what the Atlas Lionesses have done".

Morocco's women enjoyed a surprise run to the final of last year's Africa Cup of Nations, which they hosted, before losing 2-1 to South Africa in front of over 50,000 spectators in Rabat.

That was followed by the men's remarkable performance in Qatar when they became the first African and first Arab team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, where they lost to France.

Those performances have encouraged girls to take up football and the number of players registered at the Avadas academy -- for youths who often come from underprivileged families -- has increased to more than 50 from about 10 a year ago.

"The girls are motivated and want to learn how to play football" after seeing the success of the men's and women's national teams, coach Mohamed Jidi told AFP.

"We can see the impact. We had a girl who played rugby, others who played basketball or did athletics. But then they all wanted to start playing football because they decided there was a future in it."

Morocco are in Group H at the Women's World Cup and as well as Germany will face South Korea and Colombia.

They are one of the lowest-ranked teams in Australia and New Zealand and it would be a surprise if they get out of the group, but captain Ghizlane Chebbak knows the men have raised expectations.

"Moroccan fans have that passion, as do us players, and we will give everything to make them satisfied," she told FIFA.com.

"The men have shown us that nothing is impossible if you fight for it and you stay focused," she added.

That women's football is growing in popularity in Morocco is thanks to a development strategy put in place in 2020.

"The federation invested in women's football. Since then, mentalities have changed and the interest and evolution are palpable," Khadija Illa, president of the Moroccan women's league, told AFP.

In 2021, the North African kingdom set up a two-division professional women's league with 42 clubs, each of which committed to also launching teams at Under-17 and Under-15 level.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation picks up 70 percent of the expenses of each club, where players earn a minimum salary of 3,500 dirhams ($360) per month in the top flight and 2,500 dirhams in the second tier. The average monthly salary in Morocco is $400.

"Its success is reliant on a sporting policy that works and financial help." said Illa, a former professional player.

"The more you invest, the better results you get."



Messi Fit to Face Porto: Inter Miami's Mascherano

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano says Lionel Messi will be fit to face Porto in the MLS side's next Club World Cup game. ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano says Lionel Messi will be fit to face Porto in the MLS side's next Club World Cup game. ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP
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Messi Fit to Face Porto: Inter Miami's Mascherano

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano says Lionel Messi will be fit to face Porto in the MLS side's next Club World Cup game. ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano says Lionel Messi will be fit to face Porto in the MLS side's next Club World Cup game. ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said Lionel Messi would be fit to face Porto at the Club World Cup on Thursday, despite showing signs of discomfort in training.

A video emerged of Messi touching his left leg during the session on Wednesday, but Mascherano confirmed the veteran forward was ready for Miami's second Group A match in Atlanta, said AFP.

"On the trip from Miami to Atlanta I saw that came out in some places, but Leo is fit, he trained, he completed the whole session," Mascherano told reporters.

"He was touching his leg, sometimes people touch themselves, but there's no problem, he's fit and obviously he will play tomorrow."

The coach said Messi's former Barcelona team-mate Jordi Alba was available after missing the opening 0-0 draw against Al Ahly due to injury.

"We'll evaluate what's best for us, if he starts or not," said the coach. "Actually, I already know but I won't tell you."

Mascherano meanwhile said retaining possession would be the key against Portugal's Porto, regular Champions League participants who are likely to provide the MLS team with a stern test.

"We have players who feel much more comfortable when they're in possession, dominating, and having control of the game through the ball," said the Argentine.

"Of course, we're facing a team that also is used to doing that, who are a high level side.

"But on the pitch we're 11 against 11, we'll try to shut down their strengths, expose their weaknesses and try to have a great game to get a good result."

Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets, a member of Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning side and one of Messi's former Barcelona team-mates, admitted his team would be up against it at the Mercedes-Benz stadium.

"They have very good players, they have reinforced and we know that it will be very difficult," Busquets told reporters.

"They are a team that compete every year for their league, against other great teams like Sporting and Benfica.

"We will try to be as solid as possible, stick close together and try to do the best we can as a team.

"If we get chances, we have the individuals (who can finish them), but above all we have to be solid and keep a clean sheet."