Can Morocco Repeat Their Run at World Cup 2026?

Morocco's run to the semi-finals in 2022 was the story of the last World Cup - the first African and Arab nation to reach the final four. Four years on, the Atlas Lions return as a respected force rather than a surprise package. But can they go deep again?

A coaching change at the worst possible time

The build-up has been anything but smooth. Walid Regragui, the architect of the 2022 fairy tale, resigned in March 2026 after defeat in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil. The federation turned to Mohamed Ouahbi, fresh from guiding Morocco's under-20s to the U20 World Cup title in Chile. It is a bold appointment - a young coach with a clear identity, but limited senior tournament experience and only months to imprint his ideas.

The squad: experience meets renewal

Ouahbi's 26-man selection keeps faith with the spine of 2022 while refreshing the edges. Nine players from the semi-final squad return, including talisman full-back Achraf Hakimi, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and midfield enforcer Sofyan Amrabat. The headline omissions were notable: 2022 heroes Youssef En-Nesyri and Sofiane Boufal did not make the final cut, a sign Ouahbi is willing to make hard calls.

The profile remains familiar - a disciplined, aggressive defensive block, Hakimi's overlapping threat down the right, and pace in transition. The challenge is replacing the goals and leadership of the players left behind, and gelling quickly under a new voice.

The Group C path

Morocco landed in Group C, which we rank as the toughest group of the draw. They share it with five-time champions Brazil, a stubborn Scotland and a spirited Haiti. The opening fixture against Brazil is daunting, but second place is very much within reach - and even a third-place finish may be enough to advance under the new eight-best-third rule we explain in our underdogs guide.

The verdict

The talent to repeat is there; the stability is not. If Ouahbi can settle the team quickly and Hakimi stays fit, Morocco have the defensive resilience and big-game temperament to reach the knockout rounds again and trouble a heavyweight. A second straight deep run is a big ask amid the upheaval - but writing off this group of players has rarely paid off. Plot their potential route in the bracket.

Sources

• FIFA, "Mohamed Ouahbi replaces Walid Regragui as Morocco coach" - https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/mohamed-ouahbi-replaces-walid-regragui-morocco
• FourFourTwo, "Morocco World Cup 2026 squad" - https://www.fourfourtwo.com/team/morocco-world-cup-2026-squad
• CAF, "Morocco turn to Ouahbi for leadership after Regragui's departure" - https://www.cafonline.com/news/morocco-turn-to-ouahbi-for-leadership-after-coach-walid-regraguis-departure/

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