In 2022 Morocco became the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals, and the whole continent celebrated with them. On the way they beat Belgium, Spain and Portugal. Walid Regragui had turned the Atlas Lions into a defensive fortress, and Achraf Hakimi supplied the running down the right. They come to 2026 to show that Qatar was no fluke.
Regragui is still in charge. Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri are the key names, and Morocco sit around 13th in the FIFA ranking.
Was Qatar a one-off?
The evidence says no. Hakimi is one of the best right-backs in world football at PSG, and his pace and forward runs do real damage. Ziyech's creativity and set-piece delivery provide the edge that opens stubborn defences. Regragui's defensive system was the foundation of that 2022 run, and it has not gone anywhere. Beating Belgium, Spain and Portugal on the biggest stage was no accident either.
There is also the support. The squad is close, and Moroccan fans turn almost any stadium in the world into a home ground.
Reaching the 2022 semi-finals proved they belong at the top table. Now they want more. The squad blends European-based talent with North African fighting spirit, and if Regragui's defence holds firm again, Morocco could go even further this time.
Tomorrow: number 15, the USA.
