What You Need to Know
Morocco has won the Arab Cup title for the second time in its history, triumphing 3-2 over Jordan in a thrilling final held in Doha. The victory marks a significant achievement for the Moroccan national team, which had not won the title since 2012. This win boosts the morale of Moroccan football ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
Africa. Morocco has won the Arab Cup title for the second time in its history, following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Jordan on Thursday in the tournament’s final, held in the Qatari capital, Doha.
In front of a large crowd at Lusail Stadium, including Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, the Emir of Qatar, and Gianni Infantino, the President of FIFA, Morocco opened the scoring early with a stunning goal from star player Osama Tanane in the fourth minute, a remarkable shot from midfield.
The Jordanian team rallied in the second half, with Ali Alwan equalizing in the 48th minute, and then scoring again in the 68th minute from a penalty. However, veteran substitute Abderrazak Hamdallah equalized for Morocco in the 87th minute, leading both teams to extra time after the regular match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Hamdallah continued to shine in the match, scoring Morocco’s third goal and his second personal goal in the 100th minute.
With this victory, the Moroccan team, which participated in the tournament with a second-string squad led by local coach Tarik Sektioui, reclaimed the title that had eluded them for 13 years, having previously won the championship only once in 2012 in Saudi Arabia.
Morocco now shares the second position on the list of countries with the most Arab Cup victories, alongside Saudi Arabia, while trailing two titles behind Iraq, the historical champion of the tournament, which has four titles.
This triumph also provides a significant morale boost for Moroccan football, especially ahead of the national team’s participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted on their home grounds starting next Sunday.
FIFA had canceled the third-place match between Saudi Arabia and the UAE due to weather conditions around Khalifa International Stadium, stating that the relevant committee would determine the third-place winner at a later date.
The “Atlas Lions” concluded a year filled with successes, having qualified for the 2026 World Cup, won the U-20 World Cup in Chile, and secured both the African Nations Championship and the African U-17 Cup.
The Arab Cup, established in 1963, has seen various nations compete for the prestigious title. Morocco’s previous victory came in 2012, and since then, the tournament has evolved, attracting more attention and participation from Arab nations. The recent win not only highlights Morocco’s footballing prowess but also sets the stage for future competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations.
Historically, the Arab Cup has been a platform for showcasing talent and fostering regional rivalries. With Morocco’s latest success, the nation joins the ranks of top-performing teams in the tournament’s history, alongside Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
