I’ve never witnessed any event in Morocco, small or large, happen without some kind of drama, which generally stays local. Not this time! Regarding soccer in Qatar, the whole world gets a front-row seat to Moroccan drama. Chaos erupted at Hamad International airport when Moroccan soccer fans landed in Qatar and were denied entry at customs because they didn’t have World Cup tickets.

Since Morocco had advanced to the semifinals against France, Moroccans were offered tickets to the match if they flew to Doha. Upon arrival, Moroccan soccer fans were shocked to discover that no tickets were waiting for them.

Sources reveal that the individual who was in charge of distributing the tickets to Moroccan soccer fans had disappeared. This pushed Qatar to alert Moroccan authorities in the Casablanca airport not to allow Moroccans who were waiting to board their flights to Qatar, thus canceling all flights from Morocco to Qatar and leading to more chaos on Moroccan soil.

While Moroccan soccer fans in Doha fought with Qatari security about being denied entry, Moroccan soccer fans in Casablanca had their own fights with Moroccan airline authorities about being denied boarding.

Meanwhile, videos of people with their luggage, Moroccan flags, and Moroccan team jerseys were shouting in outrage that they couldn’t go and support their national team. Moroccan media reported that the tickets had been sold on the black market for more cash.

While many people hoped something so dramatic wouldn’t occur during the World Cup, Moroccan drama continues…

By Simo Ben