World Cup: Morocco team's families 'melt hearts' with quarter-final win celebrations

Most of the praise for Morocco's football team at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar has come from their stellar sporting performances, including a history-making win over Portugal on Saturday.

But the Atlas Lions are also winning hearts worldwide for the very public affection they have shown their families after their match victories.

Sofiane Boufal celebrating with his mom 🥺❤️ pic.twitter.com/wtTb70WvgM

— mo 🍥 (@Mo_utdrad) December 10, 2022

Pictures of winger and Morocco number 17 Sofiane Boufal inviting his mother onto the pitch to celebrate the Atlas Lions’ exhilarating quarter-final victory over Portugal at the Al Thumama Stadium drew an outpouring of praise from football fans worldwide, many of whom said the joyful scenes "melted their heart".

Boufal and his mother danced together on Al Thumama's pitch following the 1-0 win that saw Morocco become the first Arab and African team to ever qualify for the prestigious tournament’s semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Achraf Hakimi, one of Morocco's most indispensable players, has been filmed embracing his mother, Saida Mouh, at the end of matches.

أحبك أمي ❤️ pic.twitter.com/2BLQ2jVbii

— Achraf Hakimi (@AchrafHakimi) November 27, 2022

The Paris Saint-Germain right-back has often posted photos of himself and his mother together on social media. He most recently shared an image of the two of them together following his team’s impressive 2-0 victory over Belgium in the group stages, accompanied by the Arabic-language caption "I love you mum".

Abdelhamid Sabiri, who made his debut for the Moroccan squad in September this year, has been seen embracing his parents in the stands on several occasions too. His father has gone viral on social media for photographing vital moments from the team's matches with his very own professional camera, according to Al Jazeera.

Hakimi and his mom after the win🥺🇲🇦 all the Moroccan players and their moms have been sooo adorable, Allahumma Barik ❤ pic.twitter.com/HZ4fq0tg08

— ameena 🇲🇦 (@Canuckgirl20) December 11, 2022

Family celebrations have also included the players' children.

After Morocco's win over Portugal, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who won Man of the Match for his performance on Saturday, played on the pitch with his young son, who tried on the superstar shot-stopper’s gloves - adorably oversized for the toddler's small hands.

Bounou played with his son on the field after Morocco's quarterfinal win 🥹

This is what it's all about ❤️ pic.twitter.com/OOXanm120i

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 10, 2022

The inclusion of family in the Atlas Lions' World Cup adventure was thought out by Moroccan football's decision-makers prior to the tournament.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and team head coach Walid Regragui had requested that designated family members be flown out to Qatar to join players as part of an all-inclusive trip, to boost player morale.

Coach Regragui’s mother, Fatima, also joined the players’ families at the team’s base at the Wyndham Doha West Bay, where she told Moroccan sports channel Arriyadia that she had left Paris for the first time in "over 50 years" for this World Cup.

Morocco are set to take on 2018 champions France next Wednesday, in a highly anticipated semi-final.