After stunning the world with their run to the semi-finals in Qatar in 2022, Morocco travelled to North America with greater expectations. While that brought more pressure, Mohamed Ouahbi’s team have risen to the challenge and shown they can compete with the global elite.
Morocco’s last World Cup – History-makers in Qatar
Before 2022, Morocco’s World Cup history consisted of four group-stage exits and a solitary run to the round of 16 in 1986. However, they excelled in Qatar, beating Spain and Portugal in knockout ties before succumbing in the semi-finals against France.
That marked Morocco’s new highest World Cup finish and shook the established football order to its core. Never before had an Arab or an African side advanced so far in the history of the tournament.
The secret to their success was largely their solid defence. They conceded just five goals in seven outings across the competition, keeping clean sheets on four occasions. Azzedine Ounahi, Sofyan Amrabat and Achraf Hakimi were among the players to impress. Yassine Bounou also shone in goal, making two saves in a penalty shootout victory over Spain.
Morocco World Cup squad – Changes since 2022
Though a focus on defensive stability remains, Morocco’s side have evolved since the 2022 World Cup. Offensively, they’ve been boosted by Brahim Díaz’s decision to pledge his international allegiance to the Atlas Lions in 2024. The 26-year-old has already registered four assists in five matches at this summer’s tournament.
Ismael Saibari also made his debut for the North Africans in 2023. The 25-year-old has gone on to establish himself as the first-choice striker for Morocco. Three group-stage strikes have taken his international goal tally to 12 in 35 appearances.
A more recent change has seen Issa Diop introduced into the squad. The Fulham defender has added height and physicality at the heart of the backline. Neil El Aynaoui and Ayyoub Bouaddi have also emerged to form a fresh partnership in midfield.
With a new coach in the shape of Ouahbi, following Walid Regragui’s resignation earlier this year, the current side are trying to write their own story.
A Promising Group Stage
In an expanded 48-team tournament, with 32 sides advancing into the first knockout round, Morocco were likely to progress from their group. They did so with seven points, alongside victories over Scotland and Haiti following an opening draw against Brazil.
Their performance against Carlo Ancelotti’s squad was an early sign that the 2022 semi-finalists were going to be very competitive again. The South American giants only created one big chance as the game finished 1-1. Full-backs Noussair Mazraoui and Achraf Hakimi made a combined total of 11 successful tackles as Brazil’s dangerous wide players struggled to impose themselves.
Fresh Knockout Success
A round-of-32 showdown with the Netherlands represented a difficult start to the knockout stage. However, Ouahbi’s men showcased their newfound maturity and confidence when taking on the stronger European nations.
They limited the Dutch to just one clear chance and only six attempts across 120 minutes of football, but it still took a 91st-minute strike from Diop to keep Morocco in the competition. That forced extra time, and despite misses from Hakimi and El Aynaoui, Bono delivered again as the Atlas Lions ultimately advanced on penalties.
That set up a winnable round-of-16 tie against Canada. For the first time in their history, Morocco were favourites to win a World Cup knockout match. It appeared to weigh heavily on them at times, as the Canucks enjoyed long spells of superiority. However, the North Africans were the more clinical side, with several excellent counterattacks and two Ounahi goals contributing to a 3-0 victory.
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Morocco World Cup Prediction – France to Prove Too Strong Again
If this Morocco World Cup journey is going to end in glory, they will need to cause a major upset in the quarter-finals. France lie in wait in Boston for a rematch of the 2022 semi-final between the teams.
Theo Hernández scored after just five minutes for Les Bleus four years ago. That made it harder for Morocco to produce their best counterattacking football against opposition who didn’t need to chase a goal.
Having conceded only four goals in five matches so far at this competition, the Atlas Lions should be able to gain a foothold in this latest encounter. However, it will be difficult for them to hold off a star-studded French attack for 90 minutes.
With Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise firing and working brilliantly as an attacking unit, the 2018 champions are averaging 2.8 goals per 90 minutes at the 2026 edition. They are likely to have too much individual quality.
Morocco qualify for the World Cup 2030 as co-hosts. Therefore, even if they lose to France, there is plenty for the Atlas Lions to look forward to. Whatever the outcome on Thursday, their efforts in North America will keep the momentum building towards the next tournament, when they’ll benefit from passionate home support.