“I am Franco-Moroccan, this semi-final of the World Cup promises to be fabulous. Whatever happens, I know that I will not be disappointed this Wednesday evening knowing that one of my two countries will necessarily be in the final. I can’t wait to see my two countries confront each other and in particular two players that I really like, Hakimi and Mbappé. “Like Leïla, many Franco-Moroccans, Moroccans living in France and French of Moroccan origin, are stamping with impatience before the unprecedented semi-final between France and Morocco, this Wednesday (8 p.m.).
A match for history, Morocco is the first African nation to reach the last four, between two closely linked nations. Which is already a victory. “Whatever happens, it’s already an immense pride for me to find my two countries in the semi-finals”, confides Selim, a Franco-Moroccan who cannot “wish the defeat of one of the two teams”.
Ilies, alone sums up this particular feeling, that whatever happens on Wednesday, he is already in the final: “It’s already a victory for me, the son of Moroccan parents, but who was born and raised in France. My story is mainly French, I have been supporting Les Bleus for a long time, but whatever happens I will have a team to support in the final. It is a meeting of records. For Moroccans, with this possibility of making history again and for France, which could join Brazil with two consecutive World Cups. May the party be beautiful, ”he wishes.
“Like choosing between your mother or your father”
Sami, he feels, “great pride in finding [ses] two countries in the semi-finals of a World Cup, that’s historic”. But it is difficult to choose between the two countries, “it would be like choosing between your mother or your father”: “On the one hand the country where I was born, where I grew up, where I was educated and on the another that of my origins which I also love enormously”.
This tug of war often recurs in the numerous testimonies, almost all benevolent, that 20 minutes has received. “My heart swings between my country, France, and that of my origins, Morocco! I’m a little frustrated to find myself in this situation, to pass for someone who denies his origins if I support France or for someone “who forgets what France has done for me”. In both cases, it is true. So I say, may the best win! “says Ilhame. “It’s impossible for me to wish the defeat of one of the two teams”, summarizes Selim.
A slight preference for “little thumb”
If he cannot wish the defeat of one of the two nations, Selim still has a small preference: “For History, Morocco winning the World Cup would be the greatest sporting achievement of the century, so my heart leans a little bit towards the small thumb anyway… “.
Many people identify with the historic course of the Atlas Lions, and their feat of beating Belgium, Spain and Portugal to find the French team. Without forgetting the emotions provided. “To be honest, I was more concerned by the course of Morocco, because I found a team full of generosity, self-sacrifice, unfailing solidarity and a great sense of sacrifice. Coming out of such a strong group, eliminating Spain at the end of the suspense and beating Portugal with a devastated Cristiano Ronaldo, it’s just incredible to experience that, ”savors Sami.
Ines “always supports France in competitions”, she was notably on the Champs-Elysées in 2018 to welcome the Blues bus, and has supported them in all matches since the start of this World Cup. But on Wednesday, his heart will lean towards Morocco. “The cup must be won by Africa for once, the Blues have already won it twice, they have nothing more to prove”.
“We suffered a lot to achieve our dreams”
For Mohamed, Morocco’s journey in the World Cup is reminiscent of that of many Moroccans: “It’s a moment of anthology, it’s quite simply legendary so I would say that we are extremely lucky to live this unprecedented moment which risks not to reproduce for a long time. I am fully behind Morocco because Moroccan players embody the journey of all Franco-Moroccans. We suffered a lot to achieve our dreams. »
But whatever happens, the majority of people proclaim “their pride” to see these two nations compete for a place in the World Cup final, because of “the values” transmitted by the two teams. “Now it’s time for Morocco to mark history as the players have done well so far. We have to prove to the world that African teams can stand out and make their people proud. I have no words to define the stress and the excitement that I feel at the idea of thinking about a match, which will be memorable. May the best win. Long live Morocco and long live France! concludes Leïla.