Morocco against France in the semifinals provokes symbolic interpretations, because the Arab state was once colonized by France. Historically, however, the match can also be viewed quite differently.
The West plays France on Wednesday. At least linguistically. Nothing other than the West is actually called Al-Maghrib, the old self-designation of the Kingdom of Morocco, the westernmost of all Arab countries.
As a region of the setting sun – as opposed to that of the rising, Mashrek – it was of course not seen from Europa. Ibn Khaldoun, the famous Arab geographer, was the first to use the term “Djaziret el-Maghreb” (“Island of the Setting Sun”) for the region between the Mediterranean and the 14th century Sahara.
The “West” vs. the “West”
When Morocco plays France in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday, a lot of symbolism can be put into it. But hardly anyone will think of the “Lions of Atlas” as representing the “West”. Instead, the expressions of support from all over the world show how much the Moroccan team is perceived as representing a world opposed to the “West” – on the one hand the African continent, on the other hand the Arab world. The fear of riots associated with the match is also related to this.