Legal disputes and acrimony have replaced the accolades and euphoria for Morocco’s national team ahead of this year’s FIFA World Cup.

Morocco became embroiled in controversy after hosting the most recent edition of the Africa Cup of Nations — three years after the Atlas Lions made history by becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

Morocco’s astonishing run to the semi-finals at the tournament in Qatar — with knockout stage wins over Spain and Portugal, with whom the kingdom will co-host the 2030 World Cup — electrified fans and galvanised support across Africa for the team.