Morocco at the FIFA World Cup 2026

2026
Group Stage - 1

23:00

Brazil

Brazil

Morocco

Morocco
MetLife Stadium

As football fans from around the world are slowly preparing for the FIFA World Cup 2026, we are about to take a look at one of the most interesting participants – Morocco. Africa’s best football nation in the last couple of years enters the competition as one of the dark horses. Following the incredible Morocco World Cup 2022 run and the top 4 finish, the Atlas Lions are ready to show their prowess once again.

Before we can see Morocco in action, however, we are about to reveal everything about the country. This article will go over its qualification journey, which players to follow, an overview of the group, and a few betting tips. Let’s dive in.

Morocco at a Glance

Morocco at WC’26

Morocco enter the 2026 World Cup as Africa’s strongest recent performer, following their historic 2022 semi-final run and a flawless qualification campaign.

7th World Cup appearance CAF Group E winner Group C contender
24 Qualification Points 1st in CAF Group E
8W Qualifying Wins 8 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses
C World Cup Group Brazil, Haiti, Scotland
8 FIFA Ranking Highest-ranked African team

Group C Opponents

Brazil Favorite
Scotland Key Match
Haiti Must-win

Players to Watch

Achraf Hakimi Influential full-back and key attacking outlet
Ayoub El Kaabi Prolific scorer and major attacking asset
Brahim Diaz Creative and unpredictable attacking threat

Team Profile

Main strength

Solid defensive structure, dangerous counterattacks and world-class players in key positions.

Main concern

Limited squad depth and reliance on star players against high-pressing teams.

Quick Verdict: Morocco enter the 2026 World Cup as Africa’s leading dark horse. Brazil will be the toughest test in Group C, but the Atlas Lions have enough quality and structure to fight strongly for a top-two finish.

How Did Morocco Qualify for the 2026 World Cup

People who have seen the Tanzania vs Morocco World Cup Qualifiers know that the country was in Group E. Considering its previous results and how it performs, no one was surprised that the Atlas Lions had absolutely no problems securing a slot for the competition.

Morocco won all of its 8 matches, scored 22 goals and only let its opponents score 2 goals. Outside of Tanzania, Morocco was in a group with Niger, Zambia, Congo and Eritrea. An interesting fact is that the latter actually withdrew from the qualifiers, which explains why all teams played 8 matches instead of 10.

Morocco’s World Cup History and Current FIFA Ranking

If you remember the immortal Morocco squad from the World Cup in 2022, you know that the team achieved amazing success. There is absolutely no arguing that Morocco is the most successful African country in international football. It made its first World Cup appearance in 1970 and has qualified for 7 competitions – in 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018, 2022 and 2026.

Despite early setbacks, the Atlas Lions slowly but steadily began to establish themselves as a strong force. In 1986, Morocco became the first African team to win a World Cup group and reach the round of 16. With that aside, the Morocco 2022 World Cup squad was the one that made history by becoming the first Arab and African country to reach the semi-finals and finishing in 4th place.

In FIFA’s current ranking, Morocco is 8th in the world, the highest they have ever been. Aside from the World Cup results, the country also won the AFCON 2025 (though it was a controversial win, as it technically lost to Senegal). This puts the Atlas Lions in an excellent position to achieve good results in North America.


Morocco’s FIFA 2026 World Cup Group

After the impressive results in the qualifiers, Morocco ended up in Group C, where it will meet the following:

  • Brazil
  • Haiti
  • Scotland

We can all agree that Morocco’s World Cup squad’s biggest challenge here will be Brazil. Selesao is always one of the potential favorites and this World Cup makes no exception.

When it comes to the rest, however, Morocco is well-positioned to win. The match against Scotland will most likely be complicated, but the African powerhouse should have no issues against Haiti. Overall, a top-2 finish here seems the most likely outcome.


Morocco’s Star Players to Watch at the World Cup 2026

The Morocco World Cup squad looks really good because the country has loads of world-class players. There is no arguing that Achraf Hakimi is the one who stands out because he is the country’s most influential player. In fact, many regard PSG’s superstar as one of the world’s top attacking full-backs. He was a key figure for Morocco in 2022 and we expect to see the same again.

Ayoub El Kaabi is the next crucial player for Morocco to keep na eye on. He has been one of the country’s most prolific scorers in recent years and will be a major asset in the upcoming matches.

Of course, we also have to mention Brahim Diaz, Real Madrid’s superstar. He is one of the most unpredictable players around, so it will be very interesting to see him in action.

Outside of these two, we also have Noussair Mazraoui and Yassin e Bounou. Manchester United’s defender and the legendary goalkeeper have also proven themselves over the years, and fans expect them to perform.


Morocco 2026 World Cup Betting Tips

Now that you know the Morocco World Cup squad, don’t be surprised when many bookies consider the country to be a tough opponent. The most common odds you will find for Morocco are 50, which puts it ahead of every other African nation. With that said, here are a few handy betting tips you should consider:

  • Check at least a few different bookies for the best odds – Bookies know that Morocco is one of the teams that usually gets a lot of bets. Therefore, it is possible to find substantial differences in the odds if you check several betting platforms.
  • Avoid heavy stakes on long-shot futures – If you like wagering on futures like top sorcerer or tournament winner, Morocco might not be the best option. Despite having a solid team, there are other names that are likely to perform better.
  • Watch all of the news before placing bets – Keep track of everything around Morocco before betting. Check for injuries, tactical changes and everything else that could have an impact on the team’s result.

Key Strengths and Weaknesses

Morocco’s main strength lies in its solid defense structure. With players like Hakimi and Mazraoui, the team has one of the best defenses, capable of launching a counterattack when needed. The team’s midfield is also amazing, with players like Kaabi and Diaz among the best in their positions.

When it comes to weaknesses, we have to address limited squad depth and the team’s reliance on its stars. Assuming they pick up an injury, Morocco will struggle against high-pressing, possession-based teams like Brazil.


Morocco World Cup 2026 FAQs

Will there be a World Cup in Morocco?

Yes, the 2023 World Cup will take place in Morocco, Spain and Portugal. This will make Morocco the 2nd country in Africa to welcome an event of this size after South Africa.

Where can I bet on Morocco for the 2026 World Cup?

You can check any of our recommended online bookmakers and they will allow you to bet on the team.

Will the Morocco World Cup Squad for 2026 be the same as the one in 2022?

No, there are some important changes, but most core players will remain on the team for this year’s event.