Morocco's Journey and Rising Expectations
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Morocco finds itself under the weight of significant expectations following its remarkable performance in the last tournament held in Qatar. The North African nation, which is set to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Spain, captured the hearts of football fans worldwide with its stunning journey to the semi-finals in 2022. This milestone marked a historic achievement as Morocco became the first African country to reach the final four, igniting a wave of pride and enthusiasm for both African and Arab football.
Building on this momentum, Morocco continued to impress by securing victories in all of their World Cup qualifiers, establishing a new world record with 19 consecutive wins. This achievement surpassed the previous record of 15 wins, held by Spain from 2008 to 2009, further solidifying Morocco's status as a formidable contender on the global stage. Expectations soared as they prepared to host the Africa Cup of Nations finals earlier this year, yet the team's performance fell short of the high standards set by their previous accomplishments.
Challenges Ahead for the New Coach
The recent Africa Cup of Nations final saw Morocco reach the championship match, but their inability to clinch the title in a contentious game against Senegal led to the resignation of head coach Walid Regragui, who faced mounting pressure from frustrated fans. Stepping into the role is Mohamed Ouahabi, a coach with a successful track record at the Under-20 level, having led the team to victory last year. However, Ouahabi is untested at the senior level and will need to navigate the intense scrutiny surrounding the team.
Among the players to watch is former Spain international Brahim Diaz, who has emerged as a key figure for the squad, although his recent performance in the Africa Cup of Nations final—where he missed a crucial Panenka-style penalty—has left him with much to prove. In a twist of fate, Morocco was later awarded the trophy by the Confederation of African Football's disciplinary committee, although this decision is currently under appeal.
As Morocco gears up for its opening match against Brazil in New York on June 13, the team will need to build on its previous successes while overcoming the pressure of high expectations. Group C also includes Haiti and Scotland, and despite the challenging start, Morocco is anticipated to advance further in the tournament. Four years ago, the team rode a wave of passionate support and surprised many by defeating football giants Spain and Portugal. However, replicating such heroics may prove to be a daunting task this time around.
As reported by nst.com.my.
