Earlier World Cup appearances: 6
Finest efficiency: Fourth place (2022)
First look: 1970 (Mexico)
Prime objective scorer: Youssef En-Nesyri (3)
Most appearances: Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech (10)
Participant to look at: Brahim Diaz
FIFA world rating: 8
The FIFA World Cup begins on June 11. You may comply with the motion on Al Jazeera’s devoted World Cup 2026 web page with all the newest information, match build-up and stay textual content commentary, and hold updated with group standings, real-time match outcomes and schedules.
Beneficial Tales
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4 years in the past, the Morocco made history by changing into the primary African and Arab staff to achieve the World Cup semifinals in Qatar, eliminating Spain and Portugal alongside the best way, earlier than narrowly dropping to France.
They arrive into the 2026 version once more boasting a robust squad and hoping to duplicate – or go even further – than their sensational 2022 run.
Nevertheless, the Atlas Lions additionally discover themselves in somewhat extra chaotic circumstances this time round with a managerial departure lower than three months out from the match, and bruised by a wild Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) closing that provoked a diplomatic row with Senegal.
AFCON hangover
The squad remains to be coping with the fallout from one of the crucial incendiary episodes in African soccer historical past.
January’s closing in Rabat descended into chaos when Senegal’s gamers walked off the pitch in protest after Morocco had been awarded a contentious stoppage-time penalty following a VAR evaluate with the sport at 0-0.
The choice to award the spot kick sparked hassle among the many Senegal followers within the crowd. Eighteen spectators had been had been later jailed following the disruption.
After Senegal lastly returned to the pitch after a prolonged delay, Actual Madrid and Morocco star Brahim Diaz missed the penalty with a poor try at a panenka. Senegal went on to win the sport 1-0 with a objective in extra-time.
Nevertheless, the saga didn’t finish there. In March, CAF stripped Senegal of the title and awarded it to Morocco, ruling that Senegal had forfeited the sport by leaving the pitch.
Senegal have appealed on the Court docket of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and have made allegations in opposition to CAF and Morocco.
For the Atlas Lions, being belatedly topped champions by officers has finished little to ease the ache in addition to a way of injustice, and the continuing saga continues to go away a poisonous fallout for the staff.
The Regragui saga
Walid Regragui, the coach who masterminded the 2022 run, parted methods with the staff in March.
It’s possible that he finally paid the value after the style of Morocco’s slim defeat to Senegal within the AFCON closing on residence soil, in addition to reported arguments between him and the nation’s soccer federation over the path of the staff.
His alternative, Mohamed Ouahbi, led Morocco’s Beneath-20 aspect to the 2025 Youth World Cup title because the federation mentioned a “strategic determination” was behind the appointment.
“It’s a need to not waste time and to take a unique path,” a supply near the federation instructed the AFP information company.
However for Ouahbi, 49, stepping as much as a primary senior World Cup underneath such acrimonious circumstances is a particularly difficult process – particularly as he has solely ever managed youth groups in his profession.
“I’m not right here to construct, as a result of the foundations are already in place. I’m right here to maintain performing,” Ouahbi mentioned after his appointment.
Whether or not the brand new coach has the authority and tactical acuity to thrive on the highest stage stays to be seen, and it will likely be a little bit of a baptism of fireplace.
Brahim Diaz hopes to shake off panenka nightmare
Up till that penalty miss, gifted ahead Brahim Diaz had been one of the best participant on the match, driving Morocco to the ultimate as he gained the Golden Boot with 5 targets.
The Actual Madrid playmaker is fast, intelligent and able to producing one thing out of nothing – giving Morocco a contact of real magic between the strains.
He could also be carrying a psychological weight into this match after the AFCON closing fracas, however Morocco will hope he’ll channel that frustration into having an excellent World Cup.
Teenage star Bouaddi makes the minimize
Whereas a lot of the squad is pretty well established, the thrilling 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who has switched allegiances after representing France at junior stage, made the squad.
“A dream come true, however above all the beginning of a brand new chapter, with much more work, rigour and duties,” Bouaddi mentioned on X.
“I’m conscious of the privilege I’ve to defend these colors, and I’ll give every little thing to symbolize my nation in the very best approach.
“A thought additionally for France. My selection under no circumstances diminishes the delight and gratitude for having been capable of put on that jersey in my youth.”
Maybe surprisingly, Youssef En-Nesyri, who scored the successful objective in opposition to Portugal within the 2022 quarterfinal, didn’t make the minimize.
Elsewhere, Bilal El Khannouss is a extremely technical and artistic attacking midfielder, whereas Sofyan Amrabat provides the aspect combative vitality in defence.
Marseille defender Nayef Aguerd has been chosen, regardless of not taking part in since March attributable to damage.
Hakimi: The world’s finest proper again?
Final season, the PSG proper again scored 11 targets and offered 14 assists en path to serving to his membership win a historic treble of the Champions League, Ligue 1 and the French Cup – he was subsequently named CAF African Participant of the 12 months.
This season has been much less productive to this point when it comes to targets and assists. Hakimi more and more attracts intense consideration from opponents eager to neutralise his menace. His season has additionally been overshadowed by points off the pitch because it was introduced earlier this 12 months that he’ll stand trial for rape in France – allegations which Hakimi denies.
Regardless of the off-field points and decreased returns this season, his overlapping runs, supply and goalscoring menace – on prime of his defensive prowess – arguably means he stays one of the best proper again on the planet.
How does Morocco’s group look?
Group C definitely has its challenges for Morocco, not least of their opening recreation in opposition to Brazil. Whereas the Brazilians not fairly maintain the concern issue of earlier tournaments, they’re nonetheless packed with quality.
However, Morocco will fancy their probabilities of getting one thing from that recreation and sending an announcement to their rivals.
Simpler ties await after that, and though an bettering Scotland are not any pushovers and Haiti might present an unknown amount, Morocco must be successful each of these video games if they’re to mount a severe push for the title.
Morocco additionally confronted Brazil and Scotland within the France 1998 World Cup. The Atlas Lions put in a decent efficiency then – recording a 3-0 win over Scotland whereas dropping by the identical rating to Brazil and drawing with Norway – however completed third within the group and didn’t progress to the spherical of 16.
Morocco’s group matches on the World Cup
⚽ June 13: Brazil vs Morocco (New Jersey, US), 6pm ET (22:00 GMT).
⚽ June 19: Scotland vs Morocco (Boston, US), 6pm ET (22:00 GMT).
⚽ June 24: Morocco vs Haiti (Atlanta, Georgia), 6pm ET (22:00 GMT).
Al Jazeera’s prediction
Final 16.
An inexperienced coach and turmoil across the squad will most likely make them fall wanting matching their 2022 exploits.
Morocco’s World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal), Munir Mohamedi (RS Berkane), Ahmed Tagnaouti (Royal Armed Forces).
Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United), Anass Salah-Eddine (PSV Eindhoven), Youssef Belammari (Al Ahly), Nayef Aguerd (Marseille), Chadi Riad (Crystal Palace), Issa Diop (West Ham United), Redouane Halhal (KV Mechelen), Achraf Hakimi (Paris St-Germain), Zakaria El Ouahdi (Genk).
Midfielders: Samir El Mourabet (Strasbourg), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille), Neil El Aynaoui (Roma), Sofyan Amrabat (Actual Betis), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona), Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven).
Forwards: Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Actual Betis), Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos), Brahim Diaz (Actual Madrid), Yassine Gessime (Strasbourg), Ayoub Amaimouni-Echghouyabe (Eintracht Frankfurt).
