If you've been watching the FIFA World Cup, you've likely noticed something odd on the scoreboard. Morocco is represented by the three-letter code "MAR," rather than the more obvious "MOR".
It's an unusual pick for many fans. After all, "MOR" seems to be the natural abbreviation for Morocco. But the answer is not about soccer; it's about international standards that FIFA has adhered to for decades.
The code has been more prominent in Morocco's impressive World Cup campaigns, and many fans have been asking themselves where “MAR” is from.
Why FIFA Uses 'MAR' Instead of "MOR" for Morocco
FIFA's three-letter country codes are largely based on the official country abbreviations recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and international sporting organizations.
In Morocco's case, "MAR" comes from the country's French name, "Maroc."
Photo by Torbjorn Tande/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
French has always been a significant administrative and diplomatic language in Morocco, and the country is also highly bilingual, with both Arabic and French being used in government, education and business.
Many international sporting bodies used French-based abbreviations decades ago, so Morocco still uses the code MAR, and FIFA still uses it.
This is also the reason why some other countries compete with abbreviations that do not exactly correspond to their English names.
Other FIFA Country Codes That Don't Match English
Morocco is not the only country whose acronym is a surprise to football fans. There are several FIFA codes that are not in English but are based on historical naming conventions or other official languages.
For example:
- ESP is used for Spain because of its Spanish name, España.
- SUI represents Switzerland, originating from the country's French name, Suisse.
- CIV is used for the Ivory Coast because the nation officially competes internationally under its French name, Côte d'Ivoire.
For consistency in international competitions, FIFA has kept these abbreviations the same, making it easier to identify the same three-letter code in football, the Olympics, and other international sporting events.
