Morocco

Morocco's Atlas Lions are Africa's most celebrated side of the modern era — winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the team that rewrote history at the 2022 World Cup by becoming the first African or Arab nation to reach the semi-finals. Under coach Mohamed Ouahbi, they arrive at the 2026 World Cup as one of the tournament's most compelling stories.

Morocco's national team took shape after the country gained independence in 1956, with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation established the following year. The team first appeared at the Africa Cup of Nations in 1972 and claimed the continental title in 1976. A landmark moment came at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, when Morocco became the first African and Arab team to advance from the group stage, finishing top of a group containing England, Poland, and Portugal before exiting in the round of 16.

After that breakthrough, Morocco endured mixed fortunes at World Cups — qualifying in 1994 and 1998 but falling in the group stages. Their second AFCON title remained elusive for decades as the team cycled through generations of talent. The early 2020s, however, brought a dramatic resurgence, built on a core of players competing at elite European clubs.

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar transformed African football's perception entirely: Morocco dispatched Belgium, Spain, and Portugal before losing a tight semi-final to France, ultimately finishing fourth. In 2025, they added the Africa Cup of Nations title and set a world record of 19 consecutive international victories, confirming their status as a genuine global contender ahead of the 2026 tournament.