Where is Morocco? Everything to know about African nation ahead of World Cup third-place playoff

The pride of Africa and the Arabs' inspiration, Morocco announced their nation as a football power at the 2022 World Cup.

First they punished world No.2-ranked Belgium and sent them to Doha airport early, topping Group F ahead of 2018 finalists Croatia.

Then the Atlas Lions attacked the knockout rounds, holding their nerve to dump Spain out on penalties before wrecking Cristiano Ronaldo's quest for glory in his farewell tournament. 

Sadly, Morocco fell short against the defending champions France, but will still take on Croatia in the third-place playoff.

Coach Walid Regragui's side have made history as the first African team to contest a World Cup semifinal but you might not know much about their nation. The Sporting News has you covered.

MORE: Why Morocco's run to the World Cup semifinals is no fluke

Where is Morocco?

Morocco is in north Africa, bordered to the west by the Atlantic Ocean and the south-east by Algeria – with the disputed desert territory of Western Sahara to the south-west. 

Gibraltar and southern Spain are just a 90-minute ferry ride away from Morocco's northernmost towns, while the Canary Islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are just a few miles away from Morocco's desert-covered south. 

The country's varied, beautiful landscapes include the barren Sahara desert, the jagged Atlas mountains and serene Atlantic coastline. 

France and Spain have both occupied the territory but Morocco has often been successful at resisting would-be invaders. It was the only north African nation to remain free of the Ottoman Empire's fearsome grip. 

MORE: Can Morocco win the World Cup? Odds and path to final

Morocco population

There are more than 37,970,000 people living in Morocco, with around 3.3 million calling the Atlantic-side city of Casablanca home – the country's most populated area. 

Casablanca is Morocco's financial centre, main port city and an up-and-coming international player. However, the nation's capital lies about 80km up the coast in Rabat.

Rabat is one of Morocco's top tourist attractions but the historic fortified city of Marrakesh brings in the most foreign visitors.

What language is spoken in Morocco?

A predominantly Islamic country, Morocco's official languages are Arabic and Berber, a dialect native to northern Africa. 

French and Spanish are widely used while English is gradually gaining influence.

Arabs are the dominant ethnic group at 44 per cent on the total population, owing to a history of mass migrations from the Arabian Peninsula stretching back as far as the late 600s. 

Morocco international football history

Morocco's national animal, which features on their coat of arms, is the ancient Atlas Lion that once roamed its lands.

The species has long been extinct but roars on through the spirit of its football team, who carry the Atlas Lion as their nickname and symbol. 

Morocco have certainly roared at Qatar 2022, revolutionising the nation's image on the international stage.

They've been to two Africa Cup of Nations finals since their football federation formed in 1955 – lifting their only continental title in 1970 and falling to a narrow defeat against Tunisia in the 2004 final. 

They reached the quarterfinals of the 2021 AFCON, losing to Mohamed Salah's Egypt in extra-time. 

MORE: How many Morocco players were born in other countries?

Morocco best ever players

Morocco's 2022 stars inarguably form their greatest team but their national squad has been home to some stars in its time. 

Former Bayern Munich and Juventus defender Medhi Benatia's career ended just a little too soon to be among Morocco's history-makers.

The centre-back forged a glittering career in Europe, lifting championships in Italy, Germany and Qatar. He featured as Morocco went winless at the 2018 World Cup and retired from international duty a year later. 

Ezzaki Badou, who would later coach Morocco twice, was his nation's all-time greatest goalkeeper. Badou represented Mallorca at club level and was recognised as La Liga's best stopper between 1988 and 1990. He also helped Morocco make more World Cup history in 1986.

MORE: 'Bono' becomes Moroccan hero, worldwide sensation in Qatar

Morocco's most capped players are...

Morocco World Cup record

Morocco have broken down barriers for Africa before at the World Cup, with plenty of parallels to their 2022 heroics. 

On their inaugural appearance at the World Cup in 1970, they became the first African side to earn a point, holding Bulgaria to a 1-1 draw. 

A fabled Atlas Lions squad became the first African side to reach the last-16 of a World Cup at the 1986 tournament in Mexico, topping a Group F comprising European giants England, Poland and ... Portugal!

Every sports institution in Morocco 🇲🇦 has a photo of the 1986 squad that reached the World Cup Round of 16 on their walls.

The 2022 squad has gone an inch higher & qualified for the quarters & a chance to be the first African side to go to the semis.

They’ve earned their slot. pic.twitter.com/wkvLmOJ1z0

— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) December 6, 2022

Entering only their second tournament, dull 0-0 draws against the Three Lions and Poland were magnificent results before their tournament came alive in the final match. 

Winning their first World Cup match, Morocco stunned Portugal 3-1 and advanced to face West Germany – who snuck into the quarterfinals thanks to a single Lothar Matthaus goal.

They have entered the tournament on just three other previous occasions but exited at the group stage in 1994, 1998 and 2018. Their only other World Cup victory came against Scotland, 3-0 in 1998. 

Morocco 3 🇲🇦 Portugal 1 🇵🇹 Fifa World Cup Mexico 1986 pic.twitter.com/bejiZsGn8m

— Marwane Moreno (@MarwaneMoreno7) December 9, 2022

*DNE - Did not enter
**DNQ - Did not qualify