Fact Check: Morocco is not the first Muslim country to reach FIFA World Cup Semi-Finals
Morocco advanced to the FIFA World Cup semi finals on Saturday, defeating Portugal 1-0 and becoming the first Arab and African country to make it to the round of four in tournament history.
Since the stunning victory, various news reports have stated that Morocco is the first Muslim country to reach the World Cup semi-finals. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan also wrote the same in a tweet.
Congratulations to Morocco on their victory over Portugal to reach the Football World Cup semi finals. First time an Arab, African & a Muslim team has reached a FIFA World Cup semi final. Wishing them success in the semi final & beyond.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 11, 2022
Fact: In 2002, Turkey became the first Muslim country to qualify for semi-final.
Twenty years after Turkey’s feat, Morocco has became only the second Muslim country to qualify for the semis. Turkey finished the 2002 tournament in third place, after losing their semi-final clash 1-0 to eventual champions Brazil
Verdict: False
'%3e%3crect%20y='0.445312'%20width='48'%20height='48'%20rx='24'%20fill='white'%20fill-opacity='0.5'/%3e%3crect%20x='0.5'%20y='0.945312'%20width='47'%20height='47'%20rx='23.5'%20stroke='%23808080'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M34.625%2024.4453L14%2024.4453'%20stroke='%23808080'%20stroke-width='0.920053'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M23.375%2034.4453L13.375%2024.4453L23.375%2014.4453'%20stroke='%23808080'%20stroke-width='0.920053'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cfilter%20id='filter0_b_489_44344'%20x='-12'%20y='-11.5547'%20width='72'%20height='72'%20filterUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3e%3cfeFlood%20flood-opacity='0'%20result='BackgroundImageFix'/%3e%3cfeGaussianBlur%20in='BackgroundImageFix'%20stdDeviation='6'/%3e%3cfeComposite%20in2='SourceAlpha'%20operator='in'%20result='effect1_backgroundBlur_489_44344'/%3e%3cfeBlend%20mode='normal'%20in='SourceGraphic'%20in2='effect1_backgroundBlur_489_44344'%20result='shape'/%3e%3c/filter%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
'%3e%3crect%20y='0.445312'%20width='48'%20height='48'%20rx='24'%20fill='white'%20fill-opacity='0.5'/%3e%3crect%20x='0.5'%20y='0.945312'%20width='47'%20height='47'%20rx='23.5'%20stroke='%23808080'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M13.375%2024.4453L34%2024.4453'%20stroke='%23808080'%20stroke-width='0.920053'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M24.625%2014.4453L34.625%2024.4453L24.625%2034.4453'%20stroke='%23808080'%20stroke-width='0.920053'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cfilter%20id='filter0_b_489_44344'%20x='-12'%20y='-11.5547'%20width='72'%20height='72'%20filterUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3e%3cfeFlood%20flood-opacity='0'%20result='BackgroundImageFix'/%3e%3cfeGaussianBlur%20in='BackgroundImageFix'%20stdDeviation='6'/%3e%3cfeComposite%20in2='SourceAlpha'%20operator='in'%20result='effect1_backgroundBlur_489_44344'/%3e%3cfeBlend%20mode='normal'%20in='SourceGraphic'%20in2='effect1_backgroundBlur_489_44344'%20result='shape'/%3e%3c/filter%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
