Morocco

Morocco — the Atlas Lions — are drawn into Group C alongside Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland. As the 2022 World Cup semifinalists — the first African and Arab nation to reach the last four — Morocco enter 2026 as one of the most respected teams in the tournament.

The group is tough at the top but navigable. Brazil are clear favorites, but Morocco have already proven they can compete with (and beat) the world's best. Scotland and Haiti are beatable opponents.

Why this group matters: Morocco's 2022 run was historic but left them wanting more — they lost the semifinal to France 2-0. The Atlas Lions believe they can go further in 2026, and emerging from a group with Brazil would be a powerful statement.

The Brazil opener is a blockbuster — two of the most exciting teams at the 2022 World Cup meeting on Matchday 1. Scotland on Matchday 2 is a must-win. Haiti on Matchday 3 should be comfortable.

Morocco have qualified for seven FIFA World Cup tournaments through 2026 — their six previous finals were 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018, and 2022; 2026 in North America will be their seventh.

• Best finish: Semifinalists (2022 — the first African and Arab nation to reach the World Cup semifinals)
• 2022 in Qatar: Beat Belgium, Spain (penalties), and Portugal before falling to France in the semifinal. This run captivated the football world and changed perceptions of African football forever.
• 1986: Morocco became the first African team to top a World Cup group, beating Portugal and drawing with England and Poland.
• Other appearances: 1970, 1994, 1998, 2018
• African pioneers: Morocco's success has inspired a generation and reshaped the African football landscape.

The 2022 run was not a fluke — it was the culmination of years of strategic investment in youth development, with many players raised in European academies (the so-called "Moroccan diaspora" strategy that draws on dual-nationality players from France, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands).

Mohamed Ouahbi has taken over as Morocco's manager, replacing Walid Regragui in early 2026. The Belgian-Moroccan coach previously led the U-20 team to success and brings a fresh perspective to the senior squad as they prepare for the tournament.

Ouahbi plays a sophisticated system that builds on the defensive solidity, disciplined pressing, and rapid transitions established during the 2022 run. Morocco are not a team that dominates possession against top opponents — instead, they suffocate the opposition's creativity and strike with clinical efficiency on the counter.

• Compact defensive block that invites pressure then springs forward
• Hakimi as an auxiliary winger in attack, giving Morocco width and pace
• Set-piece excellence — Morocco score frequently from corners and free kicks
• Mental toughness that comes from a squad with deep European experience

Moroccan football fans are among the most passionate and visible supporters in world football, as the 2022 World Cup demonstrated to a global audience.

• Diaspora power: The Moroccan diaspora in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, and increasingly the United States means Morocco effectively have home support everywhere. During the 2022 World Cup, celebrations in Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam were as fervent as those in Casablanca.
• Tifo and atmosphere: Moroccan fan groups create stunning choreographed displays in the stands. The noise level during the 2022 matches rivaled anything produced by South American fan bases.
• Cultural pride: The 2022 run became bigger than football — it was a symbol of Arab and African achievement on the global stage. That emotional dimension remains for 2026.
• Street celebrations: Expect Moroccan communities in New York, Montreal, and across North America to organize massive viewing events and post-match celebrations.

Why to watch if you are a casual fan: Morocco at the 2022 World Cup was the best story in football. The underdog that beat Belgium, Spain, and Portugal — and did it with flair, passion, and tactical brilliance. If you fell in love with the Atlas Lions in Qatar, 2026 is the sequel. And they are better now.

Morocco will almost certainly advance from Group C, likely as the second-place team behind Brazil. The expanded format gives them a comfortable path through the Round of 32.

Prediction: Quarterfinals. Morocco have the defensive organization and big-game mentality to beat anyone over 90 minutes (or 120 + penalties). A semifinal return is possible if the bracket is kind, but facing elite European or South American opposition in the quarters is the likely ceiling. The key question is whether this squad can match the 2022 magic four years later.