The 1998 FIFA World Cup in France was expected to mark a significant moment for Arab football, with a record three Arab nations taking part in the tournament. However, despite moments of promise, the competition ultimately ended in disappointment for Morocco national football team, Tunisia national football team and Saudi Arabia national football team, all of whom were eliminated in the group stage.
The tournament in France was the first World Cup to feature 32 teams, including five representatives from Africa and two from Asia. Among them were the three Arab sides, raising hopes that the region could make a strong impact on the global stage.
Of the three teams, Morocco came closest to reaching the second round. The Atlas Lions produced what many viewed as the strongest Arab performance of the tournament, but their campaign ended in controversy amid accusations that defending champions Brazil national football team deliberately lost to Norway national football team to prevent Morocco from progressing.
Morocco Left Frustrated After Dramatic Group Finish
In their second consecutive World Cup appearance and third overall, Morocco arrived in France hoping to repeat their historic run to the second round at the 1986 tournament.
They began with a 2-2 draw against Norway before suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat to Brazil. Morocco then revived their hopes with an impressive 3-0 victory over Scotland national football team in their final group match.
That result appeared to give Morocco a strong chance of qualification. However, their hopes were dashed after Brazil lost 2-1 to Norway in controversial circumstances. According to the account, Brazil surrendered a 1-0 lead in the closing minutes, conceding twice within seven minutes in a performance that generated accusations of “Brazilian complacency”.
The Moroccan squad, featuring players such as Noureddine Naybet, Mustapha Hadji, Said Chiba and Youssef Chippo, left the tournament feeling aggrieved despite strong support from large Arab crowds in France.
Tunisia and Saudi Arabia Dismiss Coaches During Tournament
Tunisia’s return to the World Cup after a 20-year absence proved equally difficult. The Carthage Eagles lost 2-0 to England national football team before suffering another defeat, this time 1-0 against Colombia national football team.
Those results led to the dismissal of Polish coach Henryk Kasperczak before Tunisia’s final group game. Criticism focused on his defensive tactics and his inability to maximise the talent available within Tunisian football at the time.
Reports that Kasperczak had also been negotiating with a French club during the tournament further increased tensions, with many considering it a breach of contract.
He was replaced by Tunisian coach Ali Sellimi, who guided the side to a 1-1 draw against Romania national football team in their final match.
Saudi Arabia experienced a similar situation. After losing 1-0 to Denmark national football team and then suffering a 4-0 defeat to hosts France in a match that saw Zinedine Zidane sent off, Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira was dismissed.
Parreira, who had guided Brazil to World Cup glory in 1994, was replaced by Saudi coach Mohammed Al-Kharashi. Under his leadership, Saudi Arabia drew 2-2 with South Africa national football team in their final group game.
Tournament Remembered for Disappointment
France eventually won the tournament on home soil, while Brazil reached the final despite the controversy surrounding their match against Norway.
For the Arab nations, however, the competition was largely remembered as a missed opportunity. Tunisia and Saudi Arabia each finished with two defeats and one draw, while Morocco’s campaign was viewed more positively despite the sense that qualification had been unfairly taken from them.
The events surrounding Morocco’s elimination drew comparisons with the controversial 1982 World Cup match between West Germany and Austria, which had previously denied Algeria national football team a place in the second round.
Small details ultimately shaped the fate of the Arab sides at France 1998, leaving behind a tournament remembered more for frustration than achievement.
