Morocco's Historic Victory in Eightball Pool Championship
In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Morocco's national eightball pool team has been crowned world champions for the second time, triumphing over Northern Ireland with a score of 11-9 during the final of the 2026 World Championship held in Marrakech. This thrilling victory, achieved on Saturday, is particularly significant as it took place in front of a passionate home crowd, and required an intense battle that spanned 20 frames before the Moroccan team emerged victorious.
This latest achievement signifies Morocco's second world title in the men's team competition, a full 12 years after their first historic win in 2014. During that inaugural triumph, Morocco bested the host nation, England, with an impressive score of 8-4 in the final match held in Blackpool. This continuity of success underscores Morocco's growing stature in the world of eightball pool.
Morocco's Strong Performance Throughout the Tournament
The journey to the championship was not without its challenges. The Atlas Lions entered the knockout stages after finishing fifth in the group phase, but demonstrated remarkable improvement and tenacity in the critical rounds. Their path to the finals included a convincing 11-4 victory against Ireland, followed by a hard-fought 11-7 semifinal win over Wales. National coach Yasser El Amrani praised the team’s consistent effort and strategic play, particularly against formidable opponents, highlighting the culmination of their hard work throughout the tournament.
The squad that achieved this remarkable feat included talented players such as Oussama El Maskini, Abderrahim Bendouro, Abderrahmane Cherfi, Houssam El Amrani, Rafik Hermouch, Anas Khoudmi, Badr Laafani, Imad Lahsini, Souleiman Ozaouit, and Amer Riad. Cherfi, one of the standout players, attributed the victory to the team's unwavering concentration and competitive spirit, which proved pivotal in their quest for glory on home soil.
The 2026 African and World Eightball Pool Championships, which took place from September 17 to 27 in Marrakech, featured nearly 300 players from approximately 18 countries, competing across 24 different categories including team, singles, doubles, and Masters competitions. In addition to their world title, Morocco also clinched the African team title during this prestigious event, marking a stellar achievement of both continental and global significance on their home ground. Furthermore, Abderrahmane Cherfi reached the individual world final scheduled for Sunday, providing Morocco with yet another chance to expand their medal collection before the tournament concludes.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
