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Moroccans living in Brazil are gearing up for tonight’s highly anticipated World Cup clash between Morocco and Brazil, the opening match of Group C, in an atmosphere fueled by excitement and a shared passion for football with fans in the host nation.
Speaking to Yabiladi, Mohamed Amine El Joudani, a Moroccan expatriate based in São Paulo, said members of the community have long made a tradition of gathering to watch the national team’s matches.
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«The community comes together, as it did during the Africa Cup of Nations, to support the Moroccan team. We watch the matches in a great atmosphere, often alongside Brazilian», he said.
El Joudani, who works in the tourism sector, explained that dozens of Moroccans usually meet at a café chosen in advance to watch the Atlas Lions, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. Over the years, these gatherings have become a well-established tradition whenever Morocco plays an important match.
According to him, interest in the Moroccan national team extends beyond the Moroccan community itself. «Many Brazilians supported Morocco in previous tournaments, including the last Africa Cup of Nations», he said. «Brazilians love football, which is why they follow the Moroccan team and know several of its players, such as Yassine Bounou and Achraf Hakimi».
Moroccan flags and Atlas Lions jerseys
El Joudani noted that growing familiarity with Morocco’s stars has helped strengthen Brazilian interest in the Atlas Lions, particularly as the team continues to raise its profile on the international stage.
He added that community gatherings are marked by a strong sense of national pride.
«The atmosphere is always full of enthusiasm. People bring Moroccan flags and wear the national team jersey, just as they did during the Africa Cup of Nations», he said, adding that such occasions help Moroccans maintain a sense of belonging despite the distance from home.
Tonight’s match, however, will be different.
«During the Africa Cup of Nations, many Brazilians were supporting Morocco. This time, each side will naturally be backing its own team», he said.
Beyond football, these gatherings also serve as an important social space for Morocco’s relatively small community in Brazil. They provide an opportunity to exchange news, discuss everyday concerns and strengthen ties among community members.
Morocco opens its 2026 World Cup campaign against Brazil in Group C, which also includes Haiti and Scotland.
