
Ahead of the highly anticipated Morocco-Brazil match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Times Square in Manhattan was filled with Moroccan flags, chants, slogans, and car horns as fans gathered to show their support for the Atlas Lions. Supporters traveled from across the United States, Morocco, Europe, and other countries to transform the New York City landmark into a display of Moroccan football fervor. Families, young fans, and football enthusiasts celebrated, expressing confidence in the national team's ability to perform well in the competition. Safia El Bauch, from Brooklyn, wished the team good luck, while Safouat Lakhsassi from New Jersey believed the Moroccan team has what it takes to compete with Brazil. Badr traveled from Fes specifically to support the Atlas Lions, predicting a Moroccan victory. The enthusiasm extended beyond Morocco's borders, with Youssouf Diane, a Guinean national residing in the U.S., attending to support Morocco and player Achraf Hakimi, stating that Morocco is a great African football nation. Sultane Al Agdi, a Saudi national from Jeddah, also showed his support, admiring Moroccan football's performance. The event also featured an appearance by Moroccan-American rapper and producer French Montana, adding to the festive atmosphere. This mobilization in New York highlights the significant anticipation surrounding the Atlas Lions as they prepare for the match.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Must ReadThe Espace Amazigh, Europe's first cultural center dedicated to Amazigh heritage, has been inaugurated in Granada, within the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The project, initiated by the late Dr. Leïla Mezian Benjelloun through her eponymous foundation, aims to research, disseminate, and promote Amazigh historical, artistic, and ethnological heritage. Othman Benjelloun, president of the Dr. Leïla Mezian Foundation, and his daughter Dounia Benjelloun attended the ceremony, which was also graced by numerous Moroccan and Spanish dignitaries, including André Azoulay, Advisor to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and Karima Benyaich, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Spain. Dounia Benjelloun emphasized that the space realizes her mother's dream of showcasing Amazigh heritage in a place symbolizing dialogue between civilizations. The 250 m² museum, located at Carmen de los Porcel near the Alhambra, features a 200 m² permanent exhibition with 189 pieces, many from Dr. Leïla Mezian Benjelloun's collection, supplemented by a donation from former Spanish Ambassador to Morocco, Jorge Dezcallar, and his wife Teresa Eça, and pieces from the Alhambra's collections. The exhibition explores over three millennia of Amazigh history through artifacts, audiovisual resources, and interactive displays, highlighting women's adornments, textiles, ceramics, and the evolution of the Tifinagh alphabet. It also examines the role of Amazigh communities in forming Al-Andalus and the historical t

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Morocco's national team coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, expressed mixed feelings of satisfaction and regret after the 1-1 draw against Brazil in the opening match of Group C of the 2026 World Cup. Ouahbi stated that his players delivered a "solid performance" against a physically impactful Brazilian team. He highlighted moments where his team controlled the game, found depth, and dictated the pace, but emphasized the need to "learn to finish matches as we start them." Despite feeling there was more to achieve, the coach defended his players' mindset, noting his pride in their effort and their awareness that they could have performed better. Individually, Ouahbi praised young midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, stating he was not surprised by his quality, and lauded midfielder Neil El Aynaoui for a "very high-level match." He also reassured about the health of goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who sustained a minor shoulder injury but is recovering well. Ouahbi concluded by commending the atmosphere of the match, created by both Moroccan and Brazilian supporters.