Despite being the underdogs, MOROCCO has the makings of a superstar team both on and off the field.
And the majority of England will be behind them after French forward Kylian Mbappe’s out-of-control laughter at the sight of Three Lions captain Harry Kane missing a key penalty.
Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain, the North African team’s David Beckham replacement, will be expected to help them defeat France in the semi-finals.
With his game-winning penalty last week that eliminated Spain from the World Cup, the 24-year-old attracted the attention of the entire planet.
Hiba Abouk, 36, one of the most attractive actresses in the world, is married to Hakimi.
In October, the stylish couple was featured on the cover of Vogue Arabia.
Achraf’s parents, a street fruit vendor and a housekeeper, moved from Morocco to Madrid in search of a better life.
Achraf said in 2020: “We come from a low-income family that struggled to make ends meet.
“Today, I fight for them every day. They gave up their lives for me.
“They took many things away from my brothers in order for me to succeed.”
Prior to receiving a trial offer from Real Madrid when he was seven, Hakimi competed for the local team CD Colonia Ofigevi.
Before agreeing to a two-year loan with Borussia Dortmund, he made his debut for them at the age of 18.
He was subsequently bought out by Inter Milan for £35 million, moved to PSG for £60 million, and is now among the highest paid footballers, earning more than £1 million each month.
He first met Hiba in July 2018, and they got married two years later.
Amin, the first son, was born in February 2020; a second boy was born this year.
Hakimi, a young father at 22 like Beckham, claims he has no expectations for his sons to continue his football career.
The Atlas Lions of Morocco have become the first African and Arab team to go to the World Cup semifinals.
Salma Rachid, a pop singer on Arab Idol, is wed to Captain Romain Saiss.
Teammates Anass Zaroury, Ilias Chair, and Hakim Ziyech are all British-based athletes who represent Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers, and Burnley, respectively.