Morocco World Cup 2026

Morocco head to the 2026 World Cup determined to prove their historic 2022 run was no fairy tale but the dawn of a new era for African football. The Atlas Lions became the first African and first Arab nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in Qatar, eliminating Belgium, Spain and Portugal with a defensive masterclass that captivated the world. They play a disciplined, organised style that is fiendishly difficult to break down, with enough quality on the break to hurt anyone. Drawing talent from both the domestic game and a vast European diaspora gives Morocco remarkable depth — and arguably the most complete squad ever assembled by an African nation.

Morocco cruised through CAF qualifying, topping Group E to seal their place in September 2025. Drawn into Group C with Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, they face a blockbuster opener against the five-time champions but have the defensive steel and counter-attacking quality to compete with — and beat — anyone in the group.

Mohamed Ouahbi continues the defensive, transition-based identity that defined 2022. Achraf Hakimi remains one of the world's elite full-backs at Paris Saint-Germain, Brahim Díaz adds creativity from Real Madrid, and Ismael Saibari drives forward from midfield. Compact, ruthless on the break and superbly organised, Morocco are a nightmare to play against.

Morocco's greatest achievement was reaching the 2022 semi-finals, where they fell to France. They became the first African and first Arab nation to reach the last four. Previously their best result was the 1986 Round of 16, when they also became the first African nation to top a World Cup group. Morocco have now qualified for six World Cups in total.

Achraf Hakimi's ice-cool Panenka penalty to knock Spain out of the 2022 World Cup shootout — on his mother's wishes — became one of the defining images of the tournament and a symbol of Moroccan fearlessness.