World Cup 2022, a strange statistic should reward the North African selection, who will try to write another piece of history tonight
Whatever the outcome, in the popular imagination Qatar 2022 will most likely be associated with Walid Regragui’s resounding and utterly unstoppable ride of Morocco. It is truly incredible what the Lions of the Atlas Mountains have achieved in the Middle East, becoming the first African selection to play in a World Cup semi-final. A historic event, which only three weeks ago was science fiction.
Tonight, at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Morocco will take on reigning world champions France in the penultimate act of the World Cup. The chances of overturning the odds again this time are slim, but they were also slim in the previous rounds against the much better-ranked Spain and Portugal. The North Africans, who can count on the best defence in the World Cup – they have barely conceded a goal, an own goal moreover – will try to erect the usual defensive ‘wall’ to stop Mbappé and his teammates, the big favourites for an encore after Brazil’s surprise elimination in the quarter-finals. And they will do so with the knowledge that they have nothing to lose, unlike Didier Deschamps’ battleship.
World Cup 2022, Ziyech and that shirt number 22
Even the Kabbalah, however, seems to be on their side. According to a strange statistic, in fact, Morocco could even rise to the top of the world, ousting France and winning the World Cup. And the reason is easily said.
Ziyech in conversation with former Chelsea coach Tuchel
From 2010 onwards, at least one player who passed through Chelsea’s ranks in those years eventually went on to lift the most coveted cup. In South Africa, Juan Mata did it with Spain: the Spanish midfielder only arrived in London the following year. In 2014 it was the turn of German André Schurrle, world champion with Joachim Low’s Germany. Four years ago, finally, it was the turn of Olivier Giroud, who tonight – ironically – will be back on the pitch trying to drag France down with his goals. But where is the special feature? It is well explained by their shirt numbers, which incredibly coincide with the last two figures of the year of triumph. Mata wore number 10, Schurrle number 14, Giroud number 18 and so on. Hakim Ziyech, Morocco’s brightest star, just happens to play for Chelsea and wears the number 22 behind his back. What if this strange tradition continues?
2010-mata10(Spain)
2014-schurrle14(Germany)
2018-Giroud18(France)
2022-Ziyech22(?) pic.twitter.com/AyH9z5YxoO– Rodg mutai (@MutaiRodg) December 13, 2022