Reversing the Flow
Morocco’s Harnessing of Diasporic Talent and the Recent Success of the Atlas Lions in International Football
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13049593 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Christopher J Cox (0000-0002-9568-6994, Swansea University), Jeffrey W Kassing (0000-0002-4634-3426, Arizona State University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publication date | 2025-11-10 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Communication & Sport (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2167-4795 • E-ISSN: 2167-4809 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/21674795251394946 |
| OpenAlex | W4416069140 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 16 |
There has been significant research into how migration corridors and flows have shaped football today, with specific consideration of athletes from the global south moving to domestic clubs and leagues in the global north, particularly Europe. Such processes have allowed players to overcome socioeconomic adversities and build their skills and experience, contributing greatly to building their career profiles. However, such flows often have exacerbated local sports development challenges in the global south, particularly Africa, and have contributed to the continued dominance of the sport by the global north. This study examines the flipside of sports migration, examining ‘reverse flow’ migration. This occurs when players from diasporic communities situated in the global north return to their ancestral homelands to play for the national team. We consider this with specific regard to the case of Morocco’s Atlas Lions. Utilizing media framing analysis, we explore this phenomenon at two key recent events where Morocco made significant accomplishments: the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Our study reflects the major role diaspora can play in places like Morocco for redressing historic sporting limitations, challenging global football norms, and enhancing international football profiles
Diaspora · Football · Framing (construction · Global city · League · Phenomenon · Situated · Diaspora, migration, transnational identity · Sport and Mega-Event Impacts · Sports, Gender, and Society
The Global South
Young Africans supporting European clubs
World Cup 2010
Club, nation, player
Players of African descent representing European national football teams
Victory for Africa or the Arab world? Moroccan nationalism, Arab exceptionalism, pan-African solidarity and digital fandom during the 2022 Fifa World Cup
Africa united
Footballing journeys
Competing Origin-country Perspectives on Emigrant Descendants
Young Moroccan-Dutch
Framing
Toward a definition of diaspora
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |