Morocco’s success ‘massive’ for women’s football in region: Man City’s Lauren Hemp

ABU DHABI: Morocco’s recent success at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 could be “massive” for the region in the coming years, according to England and Manchester City star Lauren Hemp.

The 23-year-old player and her club colleague and Australia international Mary Fowler were in Abu Dhabi as part of City Football Schools and spoke of the North African nation’s progress at the World Cup, the rise of women’s football in the Middle East, and Manchester City’s targets for the season.

On the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand, Fowler said: “I think the really nice thing about this World Cup was seeing how many of the teams outperformed and outdid their own expectations.

“It was really nice to see how much growth there was in terms of the level of the countries that people might not expect much from. Instead, they were really competing at a high level and really challenging the top teams.

“It happened to us with Nigeria, where they beat us, and they were a really good team which most might not have expected previously. So, I think it’s nice to just have a World Cup where that’s the level you see in every match. Now it’s entertaining to watch because both teams can win it,” she added.

On Morocco women’s World Cup success and its impact on the Arab world, Hemp said: “It’s massive for the game and the region. Obviously, the growth in the women’s game has been huge, especially over the last few years, more than anything we’ve seen ever before.

“And it just shows where the game’s going. It’s becoming so much more competitive. So many more people are taking up playing football, and that’s so important.

“Obviously the further you go up the ladder, it’s becoming more competitive and that’s around the world