Morocco's Remarkable World Cup Legacy
Four years ago, Morocco made history at the World Cup in Qatar, captivating fans worldwide as the "Atlas Lions" eliminated heavyweights like Spain and Portugal, ultimately becoming the first African team to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup. This unprecedented achievement ignited a wave of optimism and ambition, setting the stage for a bright future as the nation prepares to host the World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal in 2026. However, the journey has not been without its challenges, and the pressure on the team has intensified significantly.
Upon returning to their homeland, tens of thousands of fans welcomed the national team in the capital, Rabat, celebrating a historic moment that thrilled millions of African and Arab fans alike. Following their World Cup success, the Moroccan team continued to impress, winning all their qualifying matches for the 2026 tournament and achieving an incredible streak of 19 consecutive victories. This remarkable run surpassed the previous world record held by Spain's "La Furia Roja," who had 15 wins between 2008 and 2009. As a result, Morocco ascended to eighth place in the FIFA World Rankings, surpassing footballing giants such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
Challenges and Future Prospects
The Africa Cup, hosted in Morocco at the turn of the year, was meant to further fuel this momentum but ended in controversy. The host nation faced Senegal in a scandal-ridden final, losing 0-1 after extra time. However, just two months later, Morocco was awarded the title due to Senegal's team leaving the pitch following a contentious penalty decision, only to return after a lengthy delay.
The national team is now under the guidance of Mohamed Ouahbi, who was promoted to head coach after the successful U20 team he managed clinched the World Cup title in the fall of 2025. The experienced Joao Sacramento, who has had a challenging tenure at LASK, will provide support. Morocco is set to kick off their World Cup campaign on June 13 against record World Cup champions Brazil, followed by matches against Scotland on June 19 and Haiti on June 24. The squad, featuring stars such as Achraf Hakimi, a two-time Champions League winner with Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid striker Brahim Diaz, is estimated to have a market value of €500 million, making them roughly twice as valuable as the Austrian national team. Consequently, progressing to the next stage should be a realistic objective for the team.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bonou expressed confidence in the team's ability to leave a lasting impression on the world stage once again, stating, "Let’s be honest: there are bigger favorites than us. However, we have been on an upward trajectory since 2022, and we aim to continue that trend. Who knows how far we can go?" He believes that Morocco will once again make its mark on world football during the 2026 World Cup.
Former head coach Walid Regragui, who stepped down before the Africa Cup, emphasized the importance of nurturing a footballing legacy in Africa. The FIFA Technical Study Group expert, Pascal Züberbühler, affirmed Morocco's significant progress in recent years, highlighting their impressive training facilities and youth development investments. With heightened expectations for both players and the new coach, it will be intriguing to see how the team performs and whether they can replicate their success from the last World Cup.
As reported by krone.at.
