Morocco’s historic Women’s World Cup debut inspires girls even if some in the Arab world ignore it

Atlas Lionesses’ and ASFAR player Ghizlane Chebbak, named player of the tournament in the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, is increasingly seeing the star power she and some of her peers are enjoying in the eyes of young fans.

DEBUT: Morocco team lineup during the Women's International Friendly match between Italy and Morocco at Stadio Paolo Mazza. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

The game was sparsely attended; it was midweek and the outcome wasn’t much in doubt: the Association Sportive des Forces Armees Royales, a powerhouse in women’s soccer here, ended up crushing its Moroccan women’s national professional league opponent 7-0.

Regardless, one young fan in the stands was excited from the get-go.