AFCON Futsal (Semi-final): Morocco Trash Libya (6-0), Qualify for World Cup

Morocco earned Friday the 7th place in the International Federation of Association Football’s (FIFA) world ranking.

With a total of 1,476.25 points, Morocco, quarter-finalist at the 2024 World Cup in Uzbekistan, leads African and Arab teams.

Brazil, recently crowned world champion, strengthened its lead, widening the gap with Portugal. 

Top 10 :

1- Brazil

1650.75 pts

2- Portugal

1546.33 pts

3- Argentina

1520.59 pts  

4-Spain

1517 pts  

5- Kazakhstan

1500.09 pts       

6- Iran

1495.74 pts   

7- Morocco

1476.25 pts

8- Russia

1405.29 pts    

9- Ukraine

1375.21 pts

10- France

1367.67 pts.

Morocco’s national futsal team was eliminated in the quarter finals of the 2024 Futsal World Cup after losing to Brazil (1-3) on Sunday at the Universal Sports Complex in Bukhara.

Brazil’s three goals came from Marcel (12’), Leandro Lino (18’) and Dyego (29’) before Otmane Boumezou managed to nick a consolation goal for the Moroccan team in the 35th minute.

Morocco had finished the group phase in second place behind Portugal, having won twice and lost once to the reigning world champions. The Atlas Lions went on to defeat Iran (4-3) in the Round of 16.

 Morocco’s futsal team advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2024 Futsal World Cup after a hard-fought 4-3 win against Iran on Thursday at the Universal Sports Complex in Bukhara.

   Iran took an early lead through Mohammadhossein Derakhshani in the 4th minute, but Morocco responded swiftly, with Khalid Bouzid equalizing in the 7th minute. An own goal by Iran’s Alireza Rafieipour in the 11th minute handed Morocco the advantage, followed by goals from Soufiane El Mesrar (17th minute) and Idriss Raiss El Fenni (20th minute), pushing the score to 4-1 by halftime.

   In the second half, Iran rallied with quick goals from Hossein Taybi (21st minute) and Moslem Oladghobad (22nd minute), narrowing the deficit to 4-3. However, Morocco’s defense held firm, securing their place in the quarter-finals.

   Morocco will face Brazil on Sunday in Bukhara, to secure their spot in the semis for the first time in their history.

Morocco’s futsal team suffered a 4-1 defeat to Portugal on Sunday in their final Group E match of the 2024 Futsal World Cup, held in Uzbekistan. Despite the loss, Morocco finished second in the group and advanced to the round of 16.

Portugal took an early lead with Erick scoring in the 2nd minute, followed by a double from Bruno Coelho, who netted a penalty in the 18th minute and added another just after halftime in the 21st minute. Zicky sealed the victory with a goal in the 38th minute.

Morocco’s lone goal came in the 33rd minute when Soufiane El Mesrar found the net, narrowing the deficit.

Hicham Dguig’s squad secured their place in the knockout stage after winning their first two matches against Tajikistan (4-2) and Panama (6-3).

Morocco’s futsal squad on Thursday secured a 6-3 victory over Panama in their second Group E game of the 2024 Futsal World Cup, held in Uzbekistan.

   Soufiane El Mesrar gave Morocco an early lead in the 2nd minute, followed by two goals from Soufiane Charraoui in the 7th and 17th minutes. Panama briefly responded with a goal from Ortie Abdiel in the 16th minute to cut the deficit.

   In the second half, Idriss Raiss added two more goals for Morocco in the 23rd and 37th minutes. Campos Aquiles (28th) and Maquesni Alfonso (33rd) scored for Panama, but El Mesrar sealed Morocco’s win with a sixth goal, just two minutes before the final whistle.

   Later on Thursday, Portugal, who crushed Panama 10-1 on Matchday 1, will face Tajikistan, who lost to Morocco 4-2 in their opening match, to decide a place in the round of 16.

The Moroccan national futsal team beat Tajikistan 4-2 on Monday in Tashkent, as part of Group E Day 1 of the Futsal World Cup 2024, held from September 14 to October 6 in Uzbekistan.

Morocco’s goals were scored by Otmane Boumezou, who netted twice (1′, 29′), Soufian Charraoui (37′) and Idriss Raiss El Fenni (38′), while Tajikistan’s two goals came from Samandar Rizomor (34′) and Fayzali Sardorov (39′). In the other group match, Portugal beat Panama 10-1.