Morocco denies viral claims national team doesn’t represent Africa
The controversy emerged after posts and several online publications attributed remarks to Morocco's Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports.
Players of the Atlas Lions of Morocco during a past match. (Photo: Brahim Diaz/X)
Morocco has firmly rejected viral claims circulating on social media alleging that the country's national football team does not represent Africa, describing the reports as fabricated and reaffirming the Kingdom's commitment to its African identity.
The controversy emerged after posts and several online publications attributed remarks to Morocco's Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, Mohamed Saad Berrada, claiming he had said the Atlas Lions represented only Morocco and did not need Africa's support.
However, the ministry said no such comments were ever made and that there was no verifiable interview, speech or official statement to support the claims.
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In a strongly worded statement, the ministry said Berrada "categorically denies these claims and affirms that they are entirely false and unfounded."
"The minister emphasises that he has made no statement to any media outlet regarding this matter, and that all statements currently circulating and attributed to him in this regard are fabricated and in no way reflect either his position or the official position of the Kingdom of Morocco," the statement read.
The ministry further reiterated Morocco's longstanding ties with the African continent, stressing that the country's identity and foreign policy remain closely linked to Africa.
"The Kingdom of Morocco is proud of its African identity. The historical, human, and cultural ties that unite Morocco with the other nations of the African continent constitute a fundamental pillar of Morocco's policy, under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI," the statement added.
The ministry also urged journalists, media organisations and social media users to verify information before publishing or sharing it, warning that the minister "reserves the right to take all appropriate measures against anyone who publishes false information or falsely attributes statements to him."
The clarification comes at a time when Morocco's national team continues to enjoy widespread support across Africa following another historic FIFA World Cup campaign.
The Atlas Lions became the first African nation to reach the quarter-finals in consecutive men's World Cups after defeating co-hosts Canada 3-0 in the Round of 16. Morocco also became the first team to secure a place in the last eight at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
After surviving early Canadian pressure in Houston, Morocco took control in the second half. Azzedine Ounahi opened the scoring five minutes after the restart by finishing Achraf Hakimi's cut-back before the Girona midfielder completed his brace with eight minutes remaining. Soufiane Rahimi added a third in stoppage time to complete an emphatic victory.
Canada, playing on home soil for the second time in the tournament, created several early opportunities through Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi, but goalkeeper Bono produced a series of important saves to preserve Morocco's clean sheet. The defeat brought Canada's most successful World Cup campaign to an end after recording their first point, first victory and first appearance in the knockout rounds.
Morocco, who also defeated Canada during the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, remains unbeaten in five meetings between the two nations and will face France in the quarter-finals in Boston as they continue their pursuit of another historic run on football's biggest stage.