Past World Cup appearances: 6
Highest result: 4th place (2022)
First appearance: 1970 (Mexico)
Top goal scorer: Youssef En-Nesyri (3)
Most appearances: Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech (10)
Player to watch: Brahim Diaz
FIFA World Ranking: 8th place
The FIFA World Cup begins on June 11th. Check out Al Jazeera’s dedicated 2026 World Cup page for all the latest news, fixtures and live text commentary, and stay up to date with group standings, real-time results and schedules.
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Four years ago, Morocco made history by becoming the first African and Arab team to reach the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar, defeating Spain and Portugal along the way before losing to France.
They once again boast a strong squad and head into the 2026 tournament hoping to repeat or even better their sensational 2022 performance.
But the Atlas Lions have also found themselves in a more turbulent situation this time around, with their manager stepping down less than three months into the tournament and the blemish of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, which sparked a diplomatic row with Senegal.
AFCON Hangover
The team is still dealing with the fallout from one of the most incendiary episodes in African football history.
The final, played in Rabat in January, descended into chaos with Senegalese players walking off the pitch in protest after Morocco were awarded a controversial penalty in stoppage time following a VAR review that ended the match 0-0.
The decision to award a spot kick caused trouble among the Senegalese fans who were in the crowd. Eighteen spectators were later jailed after the chaos.
After Senegal finally returned to the pitch after a long delay, Real Madrid and Morocco star Brahim Diaz missed a penalty after failing a panenka shot. Senegal won the match 1-0 with a goal in extra time.
But the story didn’t end there. In March, CAF stripped Senegal of the title and awarded it to Morocco, ruling that Senegal forfeited the match for leaving the pitch.
Senegal appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and filed claims against CAF and Morocco.
For the Atlas Lions, being crowned champions by those involved has done little to ease the pain and sense of injustice, and the ongoing turmoil continues to have a detrimental effect on the team.
Regulagi’s story
Walid Reglagi, the coach who masterminded the 2022 championship, parted ways with the team in March.
It is likely that Morocco paid the price in the end, following a narrow loss to Senegal in the AFCON final on home soil and a reported spat with the country’s football federation over the direction of the team.
The federation said a “strategic decision” was behind the appointment of his successor, Mohamed Ouabi, who led Morocco’s U-20 team to victory at the 2025 Youth World Cup.
“We don’t want to waste time and want to move in a different direction,” a source close to the federation told AFP news agency.
However, for the 49-year-old Wabi to step up to his first senior World Cup under such difficult circumstances, it will be an extremely difficult task, especially since he has only managed youth teams in his career.
“I’m not here to build, because the foundations are already in place. I’m here to continue to perform,” Ouabi said after taking office.
It remains to be seen whether the new manager has the authority and tactical acumen to perform at the highest level, but it will be a bit of a baptism of fire.
Brahim Diaz hopes to shake off his Panenka nightmare
Until this penalty miss, talented forward Brahim Díaz was the best player in the competition, scoring five goals to lead Morocco to the final and win the Golden Boot.
Real Madrid’s playmaker is quick, smart and able to create something out of nothing, giving Morocco some real magic between the lines.
He may be carrying some psychological weight with this tournament after the AFCON final, but Morocco will be hoping he can channel that frustration into a great World Cup.
Teenage star Buadi in action
Although many of the squad are fairly established, they have been joined by exciting 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouadi, who made the switch after representing France at junior level.
“It’s a dream come true, but above all it’s the beginning of a new chapter with more work, rigor and responsibility,” Bouadi told X.
“I recognize that it is my privilege to defend these colors and I intend to give everything to represent my country in the best possible way.
“It’s also about my feelings for France. My choice in no way diminishes my sense of pride and gratitude for being able to wear that jersey at such a young age.”
Perhaps surprisingly, Youssef En-Nesyri, who scored the winning goal in the 2022 quarter-final against Portugal, was not available.
Elsewhere, Bilal El Kanous is an attacking midfielder with great technique and creativity, while Sofian Amrabat gives the side a combative energy in defence.
Marseille defender Nayef Agerud was selected despite not playing since March due to injury.
Hakimi: The best right-back in the world?
Last season, the PSG right-back scored 11 goals and provided 14 assists, helping the club win a historic treble of Champions League, Ligue 1 and French Cup, and was subsequently named CAF African Player of the Year.
So far this season, he hasn’t been very productive in terms of goals and assists. Hakimi is increasingly attracting intense attention from opponents looking to neutralize his threat. It was announced earlier this year that he would stand trial for rape in France, a charge he denies, but his season has also been clouded by off-field issues.
Despite off-field issues and reduced returns this season, his defensive prowess, plus his overlapping runs, deliveries and goalscoring threat mean he remains arguably the best right-back in the world.
What about Moroccan groups?
Group C certainly presents challenges for Morocco, especially in the opening match against Brazil. The Brazilians don’t quite have the fear factor of previous tournaments, but they are still packed with quality.
Still, Morocco will be keen to take something away from this match and make a statement to their rivals.
An even easier draw awaits after that, with an in-form Scotland not to be outdone and Haiti potentially bringing in unknown numbers, but Morocco should win both games if they have a serious shot at the title.
Morocco also played against Brazil and Scotland at the 1998 World Cup in France. The Atlas Lions put in a respectable performance at the time, winning 3-0 against Scotland, losing by the same margin to Brazil, and drawing against Norway, but they finished third in their group and did not advance to the Round of 16.
Morocco group match at the World Cup
⚽ June 13: Brazil vs Morocco (New Jersey, USA), 6pm ET (22:00 GMT).
⚽ June 19: Scotland vs Morocco (Boston, USA), 6pm ET (22:00 GMT).
⚽ June 24: Morocco vs. Haiti (Atlanta, Georgia), 6:00 PM ET (22:00 GMT).
Al Jazeera predictions
Last 16.
With an inexperienced coach and a chaotic team, they probably won’t match their 2022 accomplishments.
morocco world cup team
Goalkeepers: Yassin Bounou (Al Hilal), Munir Mohamedi (RS Belkan), Ahmed Tagnauti (Royal Armed Forces).
Defenders: Nousser Mazraoui (Manchester United), Anas Salah-Edin (PSV Eindhoven), Youssef Belamari (Al Ahly), Nayef Agel (Marseille), Chadi Li Yad (Crystal Palace), Issa Diop (West Ham United), Redouan Halhar (KV Mechelen), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Zakaria El Ouadi (Genk).
Midfielders: Samir El Mhrabe (Strasbourg), Ayyoub Bouadi (Lille), Neil El Ainaoui (Roma), Sofian Amrabat (Real Betis), Azzedine Unahi (Girona), Bilal El Cannous (Stuttgart), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven).
Forwards: Abdessamad Ezarzouri (Real Betis), Kemsuddin Talbi (Sunderland), Sufian Rahimi (Al Ain), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos), Brahim Dias (Real Madrid), Yassin Gesime (Strasbourg), Ayoub Amaymouni-Ekghouyabe (Eintracht Frankfurt).
