"Meaningless Match Only Exciting FIFA"… Controversy Over World Cup 3rd Place Playoff

Foreign Media: "Opened to Secure More Broadcasting Rights Fees and Sponsorships"
Morocco Coach: "Worst Match... Mentally Exhausting"

Morocco national football team coach Walid Regragui. Photo by EPA·Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Walid Lakraki (47), coach of the Morocco national football team that failed to advance to the final of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, expressed his regret at not reaching the final by comparing the victory in the 3rd place playoff to a 'consolation prize.'

According to foreign media including the AP News, Coach Lakraki said at a press conference held in Doha, Qatar on the 16th (local time) regarding the 3rd place playoff against Croatia, "It's like a booby prize." The term "booby" means 'fool,' and a booby prize is a playful award given in sports or quiz competitions to the last place or lower-ranked teams as encouragement and consolation to complete the event and strive harder in the future. Sometimes, it also means a 'participation award' given to everyone.

Coach Lakraki said, "I'm sorry to say this," but honestly added, "I know that winning the 3rd place playoff is important and that 3rd place is better than 4th, but what matters to me is that we did not advance to the final." He also said, "This match (3rd place playoff) will be the 'worst match' we face. It's disappointing, but I'm still glad we can play the game," trying to rationalize the current situation.

Additionally, the coach confessed that it is not easy for the Morocco team to get over their emotions. He said, "We played our first semifinal and emotions were high," adding, "It is quite tough due to fatigue from having to play the 3rd place playoff just two days after losing the semifinal, but mentally it is even harder." He then declared, "We will clear our minds and hold our heads high as we approach this match."

Morocco and Croatia met in the first group stage match of Group F on the 23rd of last month. That match ended in a 0-0 draw. In this regard, Coach Lakraki also added, "Since we faced Croatia in the first match, it will be a good conclusion."

Morocco made a sensation by reaching the semifinals for the first time in World Cup history for an African and Middle Eastern country but lost 0-2 to France in the semifinals. Croatia lost to Argentina and will play in the 3rd place playoff.

There are also skeptical opinions about the 3rd place playoff. The Los Angeles (LA) Times in the United States sarcastically stated on the 16th, "The 3rd place playoff is a meaningless international match that no player wants to play and only some fans remember after it ends." The newspaper pointed out that unlike the Olympics, where gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded and 3rd place is necessary, the World Cup, which determines the ultimate winner of the tournament, has weakened justification for the 3rd place playoff. Nevertheless, the reason for holding the 3rd place playoff is criticized as "FIFA wanting to collect more sponsorship money and broadcasting fees."

Louis van Gaal, who led the Netherlands national team in the 2014 Brazil World Cup, expressed his opinion before the 3rd place playoff against Brazil at that time, saying, "I have been saying for the past 10 years that this match should not be held." The Netherlands defeated Brazil 3-0 and took 3rd place.

However, Zakaria Abuhalal (22, Toulouse) of Morocco, who attended the press conference with Coach Lakraki, said about the 3rd place playoff, "I think it is a meaningful match as it is an opportunity to finish the tournament as the 3rd place team in African history for the first time."

The 3rd place playoff between Morocco and Croatia will be held on the 18th at 0:00 (Korean time) at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar.