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In the early hours of Tuesday, June 30 - still Monday evening in Monterrey - Morocco will face the Netherlands in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For Dutch-Moroccans, it is a rare and emotional occasion, one that has not happened since the 1994 World Cup, when the Atlas Lions lost 2-1.
«This will be the fourth meeting between us», Netherlands-based Moroccan journalist Nordin Ghoudani told Yabiladi ahead of the much-anticipated clash. He recalled Morocco's 2-1 victory in a friendly in 1999 before the Netherlands won by the same scoreline in Agadir in 2017. «The Netherlands lead the head-to-head 2-1. Hopefully, Morocco can level it.»
For Ghoudani, who also hosts Mocro Inside, a show dedicated to Moroccan football in the Netherlands, the encounter is deeply personal.
«It's something special because we live in the Netherlands. It's especially special for me because I'm a huge football fan. I've always supported the Netherlands, and I've always supported Morocco.»
Netherlands-based Moroccan journalist Mustapha Esadik, author of Football Champions of Africa, shares that feeling.
«I was born and raised here, while many Moroccans came to the country years ago. So, for the Moroccan community, this is a very special game.»
Still, he points out that identities differ from one person to another. «Some people feel a stronger connection to the Netherlands, while others feel closer to Morocco.»
A «50-50» battle on the pitch
Both journalists also see the match as too close to call.
«It's a 50-50 game», Esadik said, noting that while the Netherlands remain «a traditional football nation» with «another generation of talented players», they are also «vulnerable defensively».
Ghoudani agrees. «It's going to be a great match. These are two of the best teams in the tournament, so it's going to be played at a very high tempo». «We've seen Morocco playing very attacking football, with high pressure, and the Netherlands too. So it's going to be a battle, a real battle on the pitch», he predicted.
Both believe Morocco's chances will depend on which version of the Atlas Lions takes the field.
«The key will be whether Morocco performs the way they did against Brazil», Esadik said. «If they play like they did against Scotland and Haiti, it will be very difficult to beat the Netherlands.»
Ghoudani believes Morocco can frustrate the Dutch out wide. «They'll try to attack down the flanks, but that's where we have our best defenders, Hakimi and Mazraoui.» He also sees the Mexican heat as «a slight advantage because we're used to those conditions.»
Both expect a tight contest that could go the distance. «I wouldn't be surprised if it ends 0-0 and goes to penalties», Esadik said. Ghoudani predicts a «2-2» draw before backing Yassine Bounou to send Morocco through in the shootout.
«This could have been a quarter-final»
For Esadik, the only regret is that such a high-profile encounter is happening so early. «This feels like a match that could easily have been played in the quarter-finals... It's a shame Morocco and the Netherlands have to face each other this early.»
That feeling extends beyond Dutch-Moroccans. Toon, a Dutch national who has lived in Morocco for the past seven years and is married to a Moroccan, says he is just as emotionally divided.
«It's a bit conflicting because I consider both countries home. It's a strange feeling, but it's also exciting.»
Like the two journalists, he believes the tie is impossible to predict. «I'd say it's 50-50. I'm really curious to see how both teams perform, but I'm especially looking forward to watching Ayyoub Bouaddi.»
Whatever the result, however, Toon insists there will be no losers in his family.
«Here at home, there won't be any hard feelings. Whoever wins, we'll still have something to celebrate. If Morocco wins, I don't think there will be any resentment in the Netherlands. People will simply enjoy the rest of the tournament and support Morocco alongside the Moroccan community there.»
His son Idriss perhaps summed up the evening best.
«Honestly, it's difficult because I don't know which country to support. If Morocco wins, I'll be happy. But if the Netherlands win, I'll be happy too.»
His father smiled and asked, «So that means you can't lose?»
«No», Idriss replied.
