Morocco made World Cup history for all of Africa in Qatar four years ago, becoming the continent's first team to reach the semifinals after seismic knockout wins over Spain and Portugal.
The Atlas Lions had only once previously escaped the group stage (1986) and had never been beyond the round of 16. The big question now is: can they prove the past World Cup wasn't a one-time thing?
Key Players
Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain) is a huge factor—one of the best right backs on the planet. Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid) is set for his first World Cup after switching allegiance from Spain in 2023.
Some of the heroes of 2022 return, but plenty of fresh faces will emerge too.
The Road to the World Cup
Qualification record: 8W-0L-0D
Goals for/against: 22 / 2
Top scorer: Ayoub El Kaabi (4)
Assist leader: Achraf Hakimi (3)
Eight wins from eight matches made for the perfect qualifying record from Africa's leading team in the FIFA rankings. Morocco finished with a nine-point lead over Niger.
Manager
Mohamed Ouahbi took charge in March 2026, replacing Walid Regragui, who stepped aside seeking a "fresh face [and] different energy."
Ouahbi coached Morocco to a 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup win and brings 18 years of experience from Belgian giant Anderlecht's youth ranks.
World Cup experience: Managerial debut
Playing Style
Preferred formation: 4-2-3-1
Style: Counter-attack with speed
Key strengths: Organization, discipline
Key weaknesses: Central creativity, breaking down low-blocks
Morocco isn't the kind of team to control a game by passing an opponent to death. Having the ball needs a purpose—moving it quickly into dangerous areas. With Hakimi, width and overlapping runs become crucial.
Without the ball, expect Morocco to keep a disciplined defensive shape. When the onus is on it to create against a low-block, things can grind to a halt.
X-Factor
Achraf Hakimi patrols the right flank—one of the best fullbacks in world soccer. The 2025 Champions League winner is a huge source of goals and offensive creativity, famed for his relentless, lung-busting runs.
Breakout Star
Watch out for young winger Ilias Akhomach making his impact off the bench. Trained for six years by Barcelona as a teenager, he has more than 50 La Liga appearances for Villarreal and Rayo Vallecano and is guaranteed to cause headaches for defenders.
What Morocco Will Be Wearing
Morocco's deep red primary shirt honors tradition. Culture and heritage are incorporated into the collar and sleeve cuffs.
The white away jersey features a sand-colored pattern and an intricate Berber-inspired design drawing on traditional Moroccan carpets and tiles.
Predicted Starting XI
There have been considerable changes since 2022. Sofyan Amrabat and Youssef En-Nesyri, two of the breakout stars in Qatar, no longer command starting places.
Keeping Achraf Hakimi fit is of primary concern to Morocco.