Argentina’s opponent in the final is being sought. Can France continue to dream of becoming the first team to successfully defend the World Cup title since Brazil 60 years ago? Or will Morocco’s extraordinary journey continue at the finals? The outsiders are already the best African team in World Cup history. It is definitely a special encounter.
Over a million people from the Moroccan diaspora in Europe live in France. Morocco coach Walid Regragui also has French roots. He was born in Corbeil-Essonnes, a small town on the banks of the Seine. The sensational coach of this football World Cup spent most of his playing career with French clubs. And yet there was never any doubt for the 47-year-old: “No one can take my heart from my country.”
When the two teams meet on Wednesday, it will also be the duel between the two friends Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi. Former Dortmund player Hakimi (24) moved to Paris in the summer of 2021, Mbappé (23) has been playing for PSG since 2017. Both missed the big goal of winning the Champions League together last season. In return, the Frenchman can become world champion with his home country for the second time in a row, a feat that only Brazil has managed so far in 1962.