Morocco Aims for Glory at 2026 World Cup After Historic Qatar Run

The Moroccan national football team is gearing up for the 2026 World Cup, set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The team enters the tournament with high aspirations following their unprecedented achievement at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

This will mark Morocco’s seventh participation in the World Cup and their third consecutive appearance, underscoring the significant progress of Moroccan football in recent years.

Mohamed Wahbi Takes the Helm

The national team will be led by young coach Mohamed Wahbi, who has taken over from Walid Regragui, the architect behind Morocco’s historic semi-final run in Qatar 2022.

The Moroccan Football Federation is counting on Wahbi to continue the momentum, especially after his impressive performance leading the youth team to victory at the Under-20 World Cup in Chile in 2025.

Tough Group Awaits

The draw for the World Cup has placed Morocco in a challenging group alongside Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti. The Atlas Lions will kick off their campaign with a formidable match against Brazil on June 13, followed by a clash with Scotland on June 19, and concluding with a game against Haiti on June 24.

Historic Achievements and Records

The highlight of Morocco’s football history remains their performance at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where they became the first Arab and African nation to reach the semi-finals. Striker Youssef En-Nesyri holds the record as Morocco’s all-time top scorer in World Cup history with three goals. Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech share the record for most appearances for Morocco in World Cups, each playing ten matches.

Morocco’s Dream Continues

Entering the 2026 World Cup, Morocco is fueled by confidence and ambitious goals. The team is backed by a golden generation that has proven its ability to compete against elite global teams. The Atlas Lions hope to demonstrate that their success in Qatar was not a fluke but rather the beginning of a new era of Moroccan football excellence.

Youssef En-Nesyri: Morocco’s All-Time Top Scorer

Youssef En-Nesyri leads as Morocco’s top scorer in World Cup history with three goals. His iconic goal against Portugal during the quarter-finals of Qatar 2022 remains one of the most memorable moments in Moroccan football history.

En-Nesyri also made history as the first Moroccan player to score in two different World Cups after finding the net against Spain in Russia 2018 before continuing his scoring streak in Qatar.

Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech: Record-Breaking Appearances

Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech hold the record for most appearances by Moroccan players in World Cup finals with ten matches each.

Ziyech made a special mark during Qatar by scoring an early goal against Canada, setting a record for the fastest goal scored by an Arab player in World Cup history.

Memorable Moments for the Atlas Lions

Before their success in Qatar, Morocco’s participation in the 1986 Mexico World Cup was another historical milestone when they became the first African team to advance to the Round of 16 while topping their group. Although they were eliminated by West Germany due to a late goal from Lothar Matthäus in minute 88, that tournament remains a significant chapter in Moroccan football history.

Morocco’s Biggest Victory

The biggest win for Morocco came during the France 1998 edition when they defeated Scotland 3–0 in their final group stage match. Salah Eddine Bachir shone with two goals; however, it wasn’t enough for them to advance as Norway pulled off an upset victory over Brazil, leading to Morocco’s exit despite their strong performance.