Morocco
About Morocco
Morocco became the first African and Arab nation to reach a FIFA World Cup semi-final when they eliminated Spain and Portugal in Qatar 2022, losing only to France. Their 1986 side, featuring Merry Krimau and Aziz Bouderbala, were the first African team to top a World Cup group. Hicham Demnati and the generation of the 1990s kept the tradition alive. Going into 2026 — co-hosted partly on home continent soil — Morocco arrive as genuine contenders rather than romantic underdogs.
Morocco's road to the final
Players to watch
Mohamed Ouahbi typically deploys a 4-3-1-2 or 4-3-3 shape, with Sofyan Amrabat sitting as the deepest midfielder to protect the centre-backs Nayef Aguerd and Chadi Riad. Achraf Hakimi pushes high on the right, inverting the width, while Brahim Díaz operates as the advanced creative link. Morocco press aggressively in transition, looking to win the ball high and exploit Hakimi's pace on the counter.
The right flank belongs to Achraf Hakimi, whose overlapping runs and crossing from PSG's fullback position make him one of the most dangerous attacking defenders in world football. Brahim Díaz offers Real Madrid's creative DNA — a dribbler who finds pockets between lines — while Sofyan Amrabat anchors the midfield with the same combative, ball-winning intensity that made him a 2022 World Cup revelation.
Achraf Hakimi is arguably the world's best attacking fullback, giving Morocco a consistent source of goals and assists from deep. Sofyan Amrabat's physicality and reading of the game provides a genuine defensive shield, and the squad's collective tournament experience from Qatar 2022 is a tangible psychological asset.
Morocco's central striking options carry risk — Ayoub El Kaabi and Soufiane Rahimi play outside Europe's top five leagues, raising questions about the cutting edge against elite defences. The squad also lacks a natural deep-lying playmaker, meaning build-up can become overly reliant on Hakimi's right flank when central progression is blocked.
The lines
Brahim Díaz is the creative fulcrum, using Real Madrid-honed movement to unlock defences. Abde Ezzalzouli provides direct width from Real Betis, while Ayoub El Kaabi, who was the top scorer at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, offers a clinical finishing threat in the box.
Sofyan Amrabat anchors from deep with aggressive ball-winning, freeing Azzedine Ounahi and Bilal El Khannouss to carry the ball forward. Young Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille adds technical quality and pressing energy, giving Morocco genuine depth and dynamism across all three midfield positions.
Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United form one of international football's strongest fullback pairings. Nayef Aguerd, now at Marseille, and Chadi Riad of Crystal Palace provide composure in the centre. Issa Diop offers experienced cover, making this a well-stocked and physically robust defensive unit.
Yassine Bounou — 'Bono' — is the undisputed first choice, now at Al Hilal after his heroics at Sevilla. His penalty saves against Spain in Qatar 2022 are among the most iconic moments in Moroccan football history, and he remains one of the most reliable shot-stoppers in the squad.
Squad
Fixtures & results
Frequently asked questions
What are Morocco's chances of winning the 2026 World Cup?
Morocco have a 3% chance to win the World Cup and 8% to reach the final, per our simulation.
What group is Morocco in at the 2026 World Cup?
Morocco are in Group C at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Who is Morocco's manager?
Morocco are managed by Mohamed Ouahbi.
Who are Morocco's players to watch?
Key players to watch for Morocco include Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Díaz, Sofyan Amrabat.
See the full World Cup 2026 title odds and predicted bracket.
Achraf Hakimi
Brahim Díaz
Sofyan Amrabat