The Journey of Morocco's National Team
The Moroccan national football team, officially established in 1955 following the country's independence from France, made significant strides in international football with its affiliation to FIFA in 1960. The team's historical performance in the 1986 World Cup held in Mexico marked a pivotal moment in its journey, as Morocco became the first African and Arab nation to top a group, surpassing formidable opponents such as England, Poland, and Portugal, and advancing to the round of 16. This remarkable feat was achieved by a talented generation of players, including Mohamed Timoumi and Badou Zaki, who broke the continent's inferiority complex despite a commendable defeat against West Germany, sealed by a late free-kick goal from Rummenigge.
Among Morocco's notable achievements is the African Cup of Nations title won in 1976, and more recently, the 2025 title, acquired through an appeal against Senegal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). However, in 2015, the national team withdrew from the tournament due to fears of Ebola, resulting in a temporary suspension from the football governing body.
Recent Success and Future Prospects
The turning point for Moroccan football came during the 2022 Qatar World Cup under the guidance of coach Walid Regragui. The team made headlines by eliminating both Spain and Portugal, ultimately finishing in a historic fourth place. This performance not only secured Morocco's spot in the upcoming 2026 tournament but also saw the team lead Group E in the African qualifiers. Impressively, Morocco clinched qualification before playing their final two matches, highlighted by a resounding 5-0 victory over Niger.
Today, the Moroccan national team boasts stars such as Achraf Hakimi from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Brahim Díaz from Real Madrid, and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. The team is riding the wave of support from the Moroccan Football Federation's bid to co-host the 2030 World Cup, reinforcing their status as a source of pride for African football, characterized by youthful talent and skill, earning them the label of a 'dark horse' in international tournaments.
One of the emerging stars on the road to the 2026 World Cup is Othmane Maamma, dubbed the 'Moroccan Cristiano Ronaldo.' At just 20 years old, he was awarded MVP at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile and has caught the attention of scouts across Europe. His potential call-up to the senior national team is highly anticipated, as his physique and playing style draw comparisons to the Portuguese legend, even wearing the iconic number 7 jersey.
Achraf Hakimi played a crucial role in Morocco's historic journey to the semifinals in the 2022 World Cup. His club achievements include victories with Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, and PSG, with whom he won the UEFA Champions League. Meanwhile, Mohamed Ouahbi, a Belgian-Moroccan coach, has been instrumental in nurturing young talent after years with Anderlecht's academy and leading the Moroccan U-20 national team. In 2026, he took on the challenge of managing Raja Casablanca, one of Africa's football giants.
Morocco has participated in a total of seven World Cups (1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018, 2022, and now 2026), achieving its best historical position in the semifinals in 2022. The team holds a record of 23 World Cup matches played, with 5 wins, 7 draws, and 11 losses. The top scorer for Morocco in World Cup history is Youssef En-Nesyri, with three goals, while Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech share the record for the most appearances at 10 matches each. Notably, Ziyech also scored the fastest goal in Moroccan World Cup history, netting in the third minute against Canada in 2022. With a streak of three consecutive qualifications, Morocco is poised to extend this to four as the host nation for the 2030 tournament.
Looking ahead, after their remarkable semifinal run in Qatar 2022, Morocco aims to once again break into the top four of the tournament, showcasing their growth and resilience on the global stage.
As reported by excelsior.com.mx.
