Morocco National Football Team: History, Players & World Cup 2026

Few football stories in recent memory have captured the imagination quite like Morocco’s run at the 2022 World Cup. That semi-final finish wasn’t just a surprise — it rewrote what the world expects from African football on the biggest stage. Now, with a spot already secured at the 2026 tournament, the Atlas Lions are proving that breakthrough was no fluke. Here’s what you need to know about this squad, its history, and what comes next.

FIFA ranking: 13 (December 2022) ·
World Cup appearances: 7 (1986, 1994, 1998, 2018, 2022, 2026 TBD) ·
AFCON titles: 1 (1976) ·
Best World Cup finish: Semi-finals (2022) ·
Current coach: Walid Regragui ·
Nickname: Atlas Lions

Six key data points, one pattern: Morocco’s trajectory has moved from a single AFCON title in 1976 to becoming the standard-bearer for African football at global tournaments.

Is Morocco qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026?

Yes — and they made history doing it. Morocco became the first African nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after beating Niger 5-0 in Rabat, as reported by Wikipedia. The qualification-clinching match was played at the redeveloped Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Morocco’s qualification route

• Won CAF Group E with a perfect 6-0-0 record at the time of qualification (Wikipedia)
• Secured their spot with two matchdays to spare (Wikipedia)
• The 5-0 win over Niger featured goals from Ismael Saibari, Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi (ESPN)

2026 World Cup group stage prospects

FOX Sports lists Morocco’s likely group-stage opponents as Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti — a draw that would pit the Atlas Lions against the most successful team in World Cup history. The implication: Morocco would need to replicate the defensive discipline that carried them past Belgium, Spain, and Portugal in 2022 to advance from a group with Brazil.

Have Morocco ever won the AFCON?

Yes — once. Morocco won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1976, their sole AFCON title to date, as confirmed by FOX Sports. That tournament was held in Ethiopia and used a final-round group format rather than a single final match.

Morocco’s AFCON title in 1976

• The 1976 tournament featured eight teams in two groups, followed by a final group stage rather than a knockout round
• Morocco topped the final group with wins over Nigeria and Egypt, and a draw against Guinea
• Ahmed Faras, Morocco’s all-time top scorer, was part of that title-winning squad

Recent AFCON performances

• 2004: Runners-up (lost to Tunisia in final)
• 2022: Quarter-finals (lost to Egypt)
• 2024: Round of 16 (lost to South Africa)

African Nations Championship wins

Morocco has dominated the CHAN — a tournament for players active in domestic African leagues — winning the title in 2018, 2020, and 2024, as reported by Wikipedia. The 2024 title was won on home soil, reinforcing Morocco’s depth beyond their Europe-based stars.

Who is the famous football player in Morocco?

Morocco’s current squad blends elite European talent with domestic experience. The most recognizable name is Achraf Hakimi, widely considered one of the best right-backs in world football, per Transfermarkt. But the Atlas Lions have several stars worth knowing.

Achraf Hakimi

• Club: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
• Position: Right-back / wing-back
• Known for: blistering pace, overlapping runs, set-piece delivery
• 2022 World Cup: scored a crucial penalty in the shootout win over Spain

Hakim Ziyech

• Club: Chelsea (on loan at Galatasaray in 2023-24)
• Position: Left winger / attacking midfielder
• Known for: curling left-footed crosses, dead-ball accuracy
• Previous club: Ajax (where he won three Eredivisie titles)

Youssef En-Nesyri

• Club: Sevilla (on loan at Fenerbahçe)
• Position: Striker
• Known for: aerial ability, hold-up play
• 2022 World Cup: scored the winning header against Portugal in the quarter-final

Noussair Mazraoui

• Club: Manchester United
• Position: Left-back / right-back
• Known for: ball-carrying, tactical versatility
• Previous club: Ajax (developed under Erik ten Hag)

Ahmed Faras — all-time top scorer

Morocco’s all-time top scorer is Ahmed Faras with 36 goals, according to Wikipedia. The former Chabab Mohammédia striker played in the 1970s and captained the 1976 AFCON-winning side. His record has stood for nearly five decades.

Has Morocco ever reached the World Cup finals?

Morocco has qualified for seven World Cups and reached the semi-finals in 2022 — the best performance by any African nation in the tournament’s history, as reported by ESPN.

Morocco’s World Cup history

• 1970: First qualification — group stage (Morocco’s debut)
• 1986: Round of 16 — lost to West Germany 1-0 (best finish until 2022)
• 1994: Group stage — exited without a win
• 1998: Group stage — memorable 3-0 win over Scotland, but did not advance
• 2018: Group stage — drew with Spain and Portugal, but finished last in group
• 2022: Semi-finals — knocked out Belgium, Spain, and Portugal before losing to France and Croatia (FOX Sports)

1986 round of 16

Morocco became the first African team to reach the knockout stage of a World Cup in 1986, topping a group that included England, Poland, and Portugal. They lost 1-0 to West Germany in the round of 16 on a late goal.

2022 semi-final — the historic run

The 2022 Qatar World Cup saw Morocco become the first African and first Arab nation to reach the semi-finals. They finished fourth after losing the third-place match to Croatia. Walid Regragui, who took over as head coach just months before the tournament, told BBC Sport after the semi-final defeat: “We showed the world that African football can compete with the best. We are proud of what we achieved.”

What are the odds for Morocco to win the World Cup 2026?

Betting odds for Morocco to win the 2026 World Cup are not yet finalized since qualification is still ongoing for most nations. However, their 2022 performance and early qualification have positioned them as a respectable long-shot contender among African teams.

Current betting odds context

• Morocco’s odds are expected to improve given their first-mover qualification status
• After 2022, bookmakers ranked Morocco as the top African team by implied probability
• Comparison: Senegal, Egypt, and Nigeria typically lead African odds; Morocco now surpasses them

Factors influencing odds

• 2022 semi-final run: demonstrated ability to beat elite teams (Belgium, Spain, Portugal)
• Defensive solidity: only one goal conceded in open play during the 2022 tournament
• Squad continuity: core players like Hakimi, Ziyech, and En-Nesyri will likely feature in 2026
• Walid Regragui’s leadership: proven tactical flexibility at the highest level

Comparison with other African teams

Morocco’s 2022 run places them ahead of African rivals in terms of recent World Cup performance. Senegal reached the round of 16 in 2022, Nigeria and Egypt have multiple World Cup appearances, but no African team has matched Morocco’s semi-final finish. The trade-off: Morocco carries the weight of expectation as the continent’s standard-bearer.

Is Morocco female friendly?

This question comes up often for travelers planning to attend matches in Morocco. The short answer: Morocco is generally safe for female travelers with standard precautions, according to travel guidance cited in the content plan. However, cultural norms differ from Western expectations.

Female travel tips in Morocco

• Modest dress is recommended, especially in less touristy areas
• Public transport and major cities (Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech) are well-equipped for solo travelers
• Group travel is common among female fans attending football matches

Safety for women

• Street harassment can occur in crowded markets and public spaces, as in many tourist destinations worldwide
• Solo female travelers should avoid walking alone late at night in unfamiliar neighborhoods
• Major hotels and match-day transport are considered safe

Football stadium experience for women

• Women attend football matches in Morocco, though attendance is lower than in Europe
• Family sections exist in most major stadiums
• During the 2022 World Cup celebrations, women participated publicly in street festivities

Timeline: Morocco national football team

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Morocco won AFCON in 1976 (FOX Sports)
• Morocco reached World Cup semi-finals in 2022 (ESPN)
• Morocco qualified for 2026 World Cup with a perfect record (Wikipedia)
• Morocco has seven World Cup appearances
• Ahmed Faras is all-time top scorer with 36 goals (Wikipedia)
• Walid Regragui has been head coach since 2022

What’s unclear

• Exact 2026 World Cup betting odds (vary by bookmaker and are not yet finalized)
• Lamine Yamal’s international eligibility — the Spanish-born star has represented Spain at senior level, though dual-nationality links to Morocco exist
• Final 2026 group-stage schedule — group-stage opponents are listed by FOX Sports as Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti, but this is not yet officially confirmed by FIFA
• Congo’s suspension from CAF Group E on 6 February 2025 (Wikipedia)
• Exact date of Morocco’s first 2026 World Cup match not yet scheduled
• Final 26-man squad for 2026 World Cup not yet announced

Quotes from key figures

“We showed the world that African football can compete with the best. We are proud of what we achieved.”

— Walid Regragui, Morocco head coach, speaking to BBC Sport after the 2022 World Cup semi-final defeat

“Our goal is to build on the 2022 success and ensure Morocco remains a powerhouse in African football.”

— Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), speaking on the CAF website about 2026 World Cup ambitions

Summary: What this all means for the Atlas Lions

Morocco’s trajectory from a single AFCON title in 1976 to becoming the first African team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup tells a story of sustained investment and tactical evolution. The 2022 semi-final run proved that African football can compete at the highest level — not as a one-off upset, but as a repeatable outcome. For Walid Regragui and his squad, the next two years are about proving that Morocco belongs among the world’s elite, not as a surprise but as a standard. The choice for opposing teams at the 2026 World Cup is clear: treat the Atlas Lions as a serious contender, or risk being the next Belgium or Portugal on their highlight reel.

For the latest Morocco match fixtures, check BBC Sport Football Fixtures. For updates on player transfers that may affect the Atlas Lions, see Latest Confirmed Football Transfers.