After making African football history in Qatar, Morocco returns with belief, talent, and a new coach

MOROCCO 🇲🇦

FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group C

The Big Picture

Morocco enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the most fascinating teams in the tournament. After becoming the first African nation ever to reach a World Cup semi-final in Qatar 2022, the Atlas Lions now return aiming to prove that historic run was no one-off.

This will be Morocco’s seventh World Cup appearance and its third consecutive qualification, a national record for the North African powerhouse.

Coach

Morocco made a major change less than 100 days before the tournament, appointing Mohamed Ouahbi as head coach in place of Walid Regragui.

Ouahbi, born in Belgium, earned international recognition after leading Morocco to the FIFA U-20 World Cup title in Chile, where his young Atlas Cubs defeated Argentina 2-0 in the final.

Group C Schedule

Road to 2026

Morocco qualified in dominant fashion, sealing first place in CAF qualifying Group E with a commanding 5-0 victory over Niger.

The Atlas Lions arrive in North America as one of Africa’s strongest sides, with their eyes already on an even bigger future: Morocco will co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

World Cup History

• Confederation: CAF
• World Cup appearances: 7
• Best result: Semi-finals (2022)
• Last appearance: Qatar 2022 – Semi-finals
• First appearance: Mexico 1970
• Current qualification streak: 3 consecutive World Cups
• All-time World Cup record: 23 matches, 5 wins, 7 draws, 11 losses, 20 goals scored, 27 conceded

The First World Cup

Morocco made its World Cup debut at Mexico 1970 as Africa’s only representative in the tournament.

The Atlas Lions faced a difficult group with West Germany, Peru, and Bulgaria. Although they did not advance, they earned respect with a narrow 2-1 defeat to West Germany and a 1-1 draw against Bulgaria.

The Historic 2022 Run

Morocco’s greatest World Cup came in Qatar 2022, when the Atlas Lions became the first African team ever to reach the semi-finals.

After topping a group featuring Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, Morocco shocked Spain on penalties in the Round of 16 and defeated Portugal 1-0 in the quarter-finals before falling to France in the semi-final.

Legendary Players

Youssef En-Nesyri is Morocco’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with three goals, including his unforgettable header against Portugal in the 2022 quarter-final.

Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech share Morocco’s World Cup appearance record with 10 matches each.

Players to Watch

• Achraf Hakimi – World-class full-back and one of Morocco’s leaders.
• Sofyan Amrabat – Midfield warrior and defensive anchor.
• Brahim Díaz – Creative attacking talent capable of unlocking tight matches.

Greatest World Cup Moments

Morocco’s 2022 victory over Portugal remains one of the most iconic moments in African football history. En-Nesyri’s towering header sent the Atlas Lions into the semi-finals and inspired fans across Africa and the Arab world.

Another historic milestone came in 1986, when Morocco became the first African team to reach the World Cup knockout stage after topping a group featuring England, Poland, and Portugal.

2026 Expectations

Morocco arrives in 2026 with belief, pressure, and a historic reputation to defend. The Atlas Lions are no longer underdogs — they are contenders to watch.

MOROCCO

Goalkeepers

• #1 Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia)
• #12 Munir El Kajoui (RS Berkane, Morocco)
• #22 Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (AS FAR, Morocco)

Defenders

• #2 Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
• #3 Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United, England)
• #5 Nayef Aguerd (Olympique Marseille, France)
• #13 Zakaria El Ouahdi (Genk, Belgium)
• #14 Issa Diop (Fulham, England)
• #18 Chadi Riad (Crystal Palace, England)
• #19 Youssef Belammari (Al Ain, United Arab Emirates)
• #25 Redouane Halhal (KV Mechelen, Belgium)
• #26 Anass Salah-Eddine (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands)

Midfielders

• #4 Sofyan Amrabat (Real Betis, Spain)
• #6 Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille, France)
• #8 Azzedine Ounahi (Girona, Spain)
• #11 Ismaël Saibari (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands)
• #15 Samir El Mourabet (Strasbourg, France)
• #23 Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart, Germany)
• #24 Neil El Aynaoui (AS Roma, Italy)

Forwards

• #7 Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland, England)
• #9 Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain, United Arab Emirates)
• #10 Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid, Spain)
• #16 Gessime Yassine (Strasbourg, France)
• #17 Abde Ezzalzouli (Real Betis, Spain)
• #20 Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos, Greece)
• #21 Ayoube Amaimouni (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany)

Head Coach

• Walid Regragui (Morocco)