馃嚥馃嚘MoroccoNorth Africa
Uzbek referee team to officiate Scotland-Morocco World Cup 2026 match
via Le Matin4 min read
FIFA has appointed an Uzbek referee team, led by Ilgiz Tantashev, to officiate the World Cup 2026 Group C match between Scotland and Morocco. The game is scheduled for June 19 at Boston Stadium. Tantashev will be assisted by his compatriots Andrey Tsapenko and Timur Gaynullin, with Jordanian Adham Makhadmeh serving as the fourth official. Another Jordanian official, Mohammad Alkalaf, will be the reserve assistant referee. Morocco's national team, the Atlas Lions, will seek their first victory in the tournament after a 1-1 draw against Brazil in their opening match. Scotland previously secured a 1-0 win against Haiti.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Must ReadA study by "Les Citoyens" association, based on responses from 2,992 individuals across Morocco's twelve regions between January and April 2026, reveals a significant crisis of confidence in elected officials and public institutions. The sample, primarily urban, educated, and engaged citizens, shows that 90.4% believe elected officials do not honor their commitments. While 66.6% consider voting an important civic duty, only 13.6% find recent election results credible, with 56.3% rating their credibility poorly. Public institutions garner trust from only 8.3% of respondents, and 66.1% view them negatively. The study highlights a profound disconnect between political parties and citizens, with 79.5% reporting no relationship with parties, and over 88% believing parties do not genuinely care about citizens' concerns. Social media is the primary source of political information for 74% of respondents. The report identifies a "hard core of abstention," with 24.1% stating no proposed measure would convince them to vote. Lack of trust is the main reason cited for non-participation. Surprisingly, 18-24 year olds are the most willing to vote 49.8% positive intention, yet they are also the most critical of their representation in politics. Women also show a higher voting intention than men 49% vs 39.6%. To rebuild trust, citizens prioritize guaranteeing election integrity 47.5%, clear political programs 42.9%, more young candidates 40.6%, transparency in party funding 39.7%, and better
Morocco's Atlas Lions have reignited a wave of collective enthusiasm, reminiscent of their Qatar 2022 World Cup performance, following their recent 1-1 draw against Brazil. Social media platforms are filled with images, videos, and comments celebrating the team, with scenes of Moroccan supporters in New York gaining global attention. Psychosociologist Mohcine Benzakour explains that the 2022 World Cup created a foundational moment in national memory, fostering a collective effervescence where millions shared the same emotions and reinforced their sense of belonging. The national team has become a symbol of Morocco, embodying tradition, openness, diaspora success, and sporting excellence, transcending social, linguistic, generational, and regional differences. Benzakour notes that the current global context, marked by economic, social, and geopolitical uncertainties, amplifies the positive impact of major sporting achievements, offering collective validation and international recognition. This shift has led to higher expectations, transforming Morocco from a respectable outsider to a team capable of competing with top football nations. Social media plays a central role in manufacturing these collective emotions, with users and influencers actively contributing to a shared narrative that extends beyond the 90 minutes of play. Benzakour describes social media as "emotional accelerators," rapidly spreading enthusiasm, joy, and pride. Despite potential risks, the positive effects
Following their match against Brazil, the Atlas Lions are now focused on their decisive World Cup group stage encounter against Scotland on Friday. The technical staff has implemented a detailed training program emphasizing recovery and tactical adjustments. On Sunday, players who had limited or no involvement in the Brazil match participated in a session to maintain their competitive readiness and strengthen team dynamics. By Monday, the entire squad, including starters who had recovered, engaged in an intensive collective training session. This session focused on tactical organization, transition speed, and defensive positioning, highlighting the team's commitment to the upcoming challenge. The staff stressed the importance of precision and technical accuracy to counter Scotland's strategy. This match against the "Tartan Army" is critical for Morocco's World Cup journey, as a victory could secure their advancement to the round of sixteen. Scotland, having started their campaign strongly, presents a formidable challenge with their disciplined defense, strong team cohesion, and intense play. The Moroccan team must be wary of Scotland's compact and combative style, direct play, and rapid transitions, as well as their aerial superiority and set-piece threats. Players like Achraf Hakimi and his teammates will need patience, inspiration, and clinical finishing to overcome the Scottish defense and move closer to qualification.