Morocco
First African team to reach a WC semifinal — now a genuine contender carrying a continent.
Team rating
- Attack82
- Midfield82
- Defense85
Next matches
- Next upvs HaitiMercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaJun 24
The read
Morocco — the 'Atlas Lions' — shocked the world in 2022 by reaching the semifinals, the furthest any African or Arab nation has ever gone. They arrive in 2026 ranked 7th on Earth, no longer a fairytale but a project that expects to go deep. Their opener was a statement of belief: a 1-1 draw with mighty Brazil, in which they dominated long stretches. Captain Achraf Hakimi, a flying right-back, is their star.
The fan’s readNo longer a fairytale — a 7th-ranked project carrying a continent and expecting to win, with Hakimi flying and a tactical core that already reached a semifinal.
Live storylines
- Morocco — no longer the underdog
The first African/Arab team ever to reach a World Cup semifinal (2022) returns with the same tactical core, now EXPECTED to go deep. They carry the hopes of a continent and the burden of proving 2022 wasn't a fluke.
Solid but not spectacular: drew Brazil 1-1 (June 13), bossing long stretches before Vinícius equalized. Captain Hakimi equaled the record for most WC appearances by an African player (11). Level with Brazil but behind surprise leaders Scotland.
The cast
- Mohamed OuahbiMoroccan; took over from Walid Regragui in March 2026 after winning the 2025 Under-20 World Cup with Morocco’s youth team.manager
- Achraf Hakimi ★Morocco's captain, reigning African Player of the Year and a Champions League winner — a fullback who attacks like a winger and basically runs the team.ClubParis Saint-Germain
- Brahim DiazThe 2025 AFCON top scorer who set up Morocco's opener vs Brazil with a perfect throughball.ClubReal Madrid
- Nayef AguerdThe defensive backbone of the team that beat Spain and Portugal at the last World Cup.ClubMarseille
- Noussair MazraouiThe versatile Premier League defender who lets Hakimi roam forward.ClubManchester United
- Ayoub El KaabiA late-blooming poacher who scores the ugly winners in the games that decide tournaments.ClubOlympiacos
Key moments
- 20222022 — Africa’s first semifinalMorocco became the first African and first Arab nation ever to reach a World Cup semifinal, beating Spain (on penalties) and Portugal along the way before losing to France; they finished 4th.
- 2022Beating Spain on penaltiesIn the 2022 round of 16, Morocco drew Spain 0-0 then won the shootout 3-0 — keeper Yassine Bounou saved two penalties and Spain failed to score a single one.
- 2026Coaching change before 2026Walid Regragui, the architect of the 2022 run, resigned in March 2026, saying the team needed a fresh face; Mohamed Ouahbi was promoted from the youth setup.