The FIFA World Cup has officially commenced, and while the initial excitement may be tempered, the weather is yet to cooperate for outdoor viewing parties. However, this weekend marks the entry of two teams into the XXL tournament, renowned for their football fanaticism and enthusiasm, albeit with a hint of notoriety: the national teams of Morocco and Turkey.
Both nations boast a vibrant community in Düsseldorf, and this weekend will see them take to the pitch for the first time in this year's World Cup. Unfortunately, for those in Central Europe, the match timings are less than ideal. Morocco's elite players will face Brazil in a highly anticipated match at midnight on Saturday in New York (Group C). Just six hours later, on Sunday morning at 6 AM, the Turkish team will battle Australia in Vancouver (Group D).
If Morocco performs well against Brazil, the enthusiastic Moroccan community is destined to turn the night into a jubilant celebration. During the winter World Cup in 2022, when Morocco made a stunning run to the semifinals, fans celebrated with car parades and festivities in the so-called Maghreb Quarter around Ellerstraße in Düsseldorf-Oberbilk. It promises to be a lively night for the neighborhood.
Meanwhile, the Turkish match against Australia is expected to conclude around 8 AM on Sunday morning. Given Turkey's status as a favorite, one can anticipate celebratory honking and car parades in the city during the midday hours. The Turkish football community is particularly eager for the World Cup, especially after a disappointing performance four years ago when they only reached the Round of 16. They also exited the Euro 2024 in Germany at the quarterfinal stage, narrowly losing to the Netherlands. This time, they hope to advance even further.
The Düsseldorf police are fully prepared for the anticipated festivities. "We are monitoring when the games take place," said spokesman Marcel Fiebig. "We will proceed with caution, as we always do. If people are celebrating joyfully, we have no objections."
As reported by nrz.de.
