Nakul Shivani/ New Delhi

Morocco went down 0-2 to France in the second semifinal of the FIFA world cup in Qatar on early Thursday morning. But unlike defeats of other countries, Morocco’s loss is not being mourned. Nor is the performance of its players coming under the magnified lens of either, experts of former greats of the game.

Morocco is being celebrated.  

This Morocco team may have not won the World Cup, but they won our hearts ❤️🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/0xTkngqHZJ

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 14, 2022

Perched in the north-west corner of Africa, separated from Europe by the Straits of Gibraltor, this former French colony went in Qatar where no other African or Arab country had gone earlier.

Flying high over the pyramids. Go Morocco! 🇪🇬❤️🇲🇦 #DimaMaghreb pic.twitter.com/G1BVHxdLqd

— Amro Ali (@_amroali) December 14, 2022

Morocco’s march to the semifinal of the FIFA world cup 2022 will not, in the history of the sport be written as a footnote. Its presence in the last-four stage along with superpowers of the sport, France and Argentina is beyond being mere symbolic.

Even the US President, Joe Biden hailed Morocco's performance in Qatar.

It was a great honor to watch today’s World Cup match alongside Prime Minister Akhannouch of Morocco.

No matter who you’re rooting for, it was remarkable to watch how much this team has been able to achieve. pic.twitter.com/5kC4zkT1HQ

— President Biden (@POTUS) December 14, 2022

Though, this is not the first time that an African country played at the World Cup, Morocco’s presence at the last-four stage marks the rise of a continent and the Arabs on the world footballing stage.

Morocco's historic run was special 🇲🇦❤️ pic.twitter.com/MKSUbtJwHI

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 15, 2022

In the process, they have tempered the criticism of FIFA for hosting the world cup in Qatar. 

An unforgettable run. Thank you for the memories, Morocco 🇲🇦❤️

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 14, 2022

Morocco's rise is not merely a celebration of the rise of African and Arab aspirations, but also of migrants.

16 of the 26 players in the Morocco squad are children of migrants, born or raised in foreign lands. Its star full-back Mazroui and playmaker Zyeich were born in the Netherlands. French striker, Mbappe’s shadow in the semifinal clash, Hakimi was born in Spain. Goalkeeper Bounou who has won many a heart at Qatar with his outstanding performance under the bar is of Canadian ancestry.

Morocco 🇲🇦 might have not advanced to the World Cup finals but they’re still winners in the hearts of the millions of people who finally had a team in their part of the world to root for in the semifinals. Thank you for inspiring a generation!

Mabruuk Morocco ❤️🥳

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) December 14, 2022

Nicknamed the ‘Atlas Lions’, the Moroccans have created an outpouring of joy and pride in African countries, the Arab world, and in India as well.

Morocco making history at the World Cup is being celebrated all over the world 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/0MaKQVojId

— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 11, 2022

Walid Regragui's squad has one more shot at history. It could become the first ever African-Arab nation to stand on the podium at the FIFA world cup. Backed by the ear-shattering cacophony of their supporters that has created an atmosphere like no other, Morocco plays Croatia for the Bronze-medal match on Saturday.

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Morocco in FIFA Qatar 2022:

Group Stage:

Morocco played a goalless draw with last edition finalist Croatia, defeated 2018 world cup semifinalist Belgium and beat Canada 2-1.

Round of 16

Beat Spain 3-0 via penalty shoot-out after 0-0 in regulation time.

Quarter-final

Defeated Portugal 1-0

Semi-Final

Lost to France 0-2.