Morocco supporters preparing for the World Cup quarter-final against France in Boston have been hit by an unexpected problem which is a shortage of official Atlas Lions jerseys.
Hundreds of Moroccan fans gathered in the city on Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s highly anticipated match, bringing with them the passion and colour that have become a trademark of Morocco’s supporters at major tournaments.
The streets around Boston were filled with the traditional red colours of the Moroccan national team, but finding the official shirt proved difficult for many fans.
For some supporters, securing a ticket for the match has been easier than purchasing an official Morocco jersey.
The shortage has added a new dimension to the excitement surrounding the fixture, with fans eager to represent their country as Morocco attempt to continue their historic World Cup campaign.
Several supporters said they had searched multiple locations across North America without success.
Meryam, a Moroccan fan based in Canada, said she attempted to buy the national team shirt in both Ottawa and Montreal before travelling to Boston.
She said Puma stores had displayed “sold out” notices for Morocco jerseys, while shirts from other teams sponsored by the brand were still available.
Even after arriving in the host city for the quarter-final, she said she was unable to find an official shirt.
According to Meryam, store employees explained that demand had come not only from Moroccan supporters but also from international fans interested in the Atlas Lions’ impressive performances.
The shortage has forced some supporters to look for alternatives.
Mohamed, another Moroccan fan living in Canada, said his search for an official jersey was unsuccessful, leaving him to consider unofficial versions sold by street vendors.
He explained that some sellers offer replicas imported from China.
In football merchandise, replicas are unofficial versions of team shirts and are different from the products produced and distributed by the national team’s official kit supplier.
The difficulty in finding Morocco jerseys reflects the growing popularity of the team, particularly since their remarkable run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Morocco became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final four years ago, capturing global attention with victories over some of Europe’s biggest football nations.
That success has significantly increased the visibility of the Atlas Lions and expanded their support base beyond Morocco and the African continent.
The current enthusiasm also recalls an older World Cup memory involving Morocco’s presence in the United States.
During the 1994 World Cup, a street interview about Morocco’s location produced a now-famous response from a member of the public: “In Asia, maybe”.
More than three decades later, Morocco’s profile on the global football stage has changed dramatically.
With the Atlas Lions chasing another historic achievement, demand for Morocco’s colours has become another sign of the team’s growing influence in world football.
