World Cup Preview: Morocco

Morocco enter the tournament looking to prove that their historic, ground-breaking run to the semi-finals in 2022 was no flash in the pan. The Atlas Lions arrive in North America brimming with confidence following an imperious qualifying campaign that has galvanized their passionate fan base. With a highly technical squad entering their prime, expectations are fixed on another deep knockout run.

Fixtures (UK time)

Brazil, June 13, 11pm
Scotland, June 19, 11pm
Haiti, June 24, 11pm

How They Qualified

Morocco absolute breezed through the CAF qualification process, delivering a statement performance by winning eight matches out of eight in their group. Their flawless path to North America was defined by defensive resilience and a prolific attack, cementing their status as Africa’s most feared side.

The Manager

Mohamed Ouahbi took the reins just three months before the tournament following the surprise departure of history-maker Walid Regragui. Ouahbi favors an aggressive, youth-minded system built on fluid transitions, a style he perfected when masterminding Morocco’s U-20 World Cup triumph in 2025. Though it is a massive step up, his familiarity with the country’s emerging golden generation has earned him the cautious backing of the supporters.

The Star

At 27, Achraf Hakimi is the undisputed talisman for his country, widely regarded as one of the best right-backs on the planet. The PSG defender enjoyed another brilliant domestic season, culminating in a second successive Champions League win, and his blistering pace, overlapping runs, and elite defensive discipline will be central to how Morocco transition from defense to attack.

The Familiar Face

Nayef Aguerd made 61 appearances during a four-year spell at West Ham United. At 30, the imposing centre-back brings invaluable tournament experience and a calm, physical presence that will be vital to stopping elite opposition strikers. Marseille reportedly paid around £19m last summer, but he made just 16 Ligue 1 appearances last season.

Did you know?

Morocco’s famous nickname, the “Atlas Lions”, is a tribute to the Barbary lion, an animal native to North Africa that is now tragically extinct in the wild.

The Prediction

Round of 16

Morocco have a wonderfully balanced squad and should safely navigate their way out of Group C alongside Brazil. However, the newly expanded tournament layout means a highly challenging Round of 16 draw awaits them, where a European powerhouse roadblock is likely to bring their journey to a respectable, hard-fought conclusion.

Cover Photo: The flag of Morocco” by Kristian Thøgersen is licensed under CC BY 2.0 .