BRUSSELS — The vibrant cheers and animated chatter at Le Stalingrad tea salon in Brussels can be heard from down the block. Inside, a densely packed crowd of Moroccan expatriates and football enthusiasts are glued to the screens as they watch their national team face off against France. The atmosphere is charged, each defensive play by Morocco and every missed opportunity by France greeted with roars of approval or sighs of relief.

The loudest cheer of the evening erupted when French superstar Kylian Mbappé missed a crucial penalty. The tea salon burst into ecstatic cheers, chants of "Bouno!"—celebrating Yassine Bouno, the Moroccan goalkeeper—filling the air. It's a moment of pure joy and national pride, reflective of the deep connection these fans have with their homeland, despite the distance.

Interestingly, not all the excitement was reserved for football. The appearance of pop star Shakira on the stadium's big screens also drew a loud applause, showcasing the crowd's enthusiasm for both the game and its global cultural moments.

However, beneath the surface of this festive gathering lies a layer of concern. Adil, a 23-year-old Moroccan living in Brussels, shares his apprehensions about potential post-match violence, recalling the unrest that occurred four years ago when Morocco claimed victory over Belgium in the World Cup. "It was terrible," he remembers. Tonight, however, he hopes for a peaceful celebration regardless of the outcome.

Adil, like many Moroccan fans in Brussels, harbors a dual loyalty. Should Morocco be eliminated, he plans to throw his support behind Belgium for the remainder of the tournament. This duality highlights the complex identities and loyalties within the immigrant community in Brussels, a city known for its multicultural fabric.

Tonight, at Le Stalingrad, Moroccans in Brussels are not just spectators of a football match; they are participants in a larger narrative of diaspora, identity, and the universal language of sport. As they cheer on their team, they also send a message of unity and peace, hoping that this time, victory on the field can translate to harmony off it.