Morocco: Africa's record chasers seek more history at FIFA World Cup

Morocco are headed to the 2026 FIFA World Cup carrying more expectations than any African nation before them.

The Atlas Lions are Africa's highest-ranked team and are widely seen as the continent's strongest hope of challenging world football's traditional giants.

Yet despite their status, Morocco's relationship with the wider African football community is more complicated than it was a few years ago. The aftermath of the controversial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 final earlier this year has divided opinion across the continent, creating an unusual situation for a team that was once embraced as Africa's darling.

That feeling is completely different from the atmosphere during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. At the time, the North Africans captured the hearts of millions across Africa and beyond by becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. Their historic run united the continent behind them and proved that an African team could compete with some of the biggest powers in world football.

Now, Morocco returns to the World Cup set to be jointly hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico not as underdogs, but as one of the teams many believe could have another strong run.

A long World Cup journey

Morocco's World Cup history stretches back more than half a century.

The Atlas Lions sealed their slot at the 1970 tournament by becoming the first African nation to earn their spot via the qualification rounds. They were then drawn into Group 4 with West Germany, Peru, and Bulgaria

Although they failed to get out of the group stage, their qualification marked an important moment for Moroccan football.

Sixteen years later, they returned to Mexico for the 1986 World Cup and made history. In that tournament, the Moroccan side became the first African nation to top a World Cup group and reached the Round of 16. Their impressive campaign ended with defeat to West Germany, but they had shown the world what African football was capable of.

The Atlas Lions qualified again for the 1994 World Cup in the US and the 1998 World Cup in France. However, both tournaments ended in group-stage exits.

The lost years

After the turn of the millennium, Moroccan football entered a difficult period. The national team failed to qualify for four straight World Cups between 2002 and 2014.

For a country with such a strong football tradition, missing out on Korea/Japan 2002, Germany 2006, South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014 was a major disappointment.

Rather than searching for quick solutions, Morocco chose a long-term approach.

Around 2016, Moroccan football leaders launched an ambitious rebuilding project. The focus was on developing the game from the ground up through investment in youth football, improvements to the domestic league, and better coaching structures.

Most importantly, Morocco invested heavily in modern football facilities, creating one of the most advanced football development systems in Africa. The goal was simple; build a sustainable future and produce world-class players for years to come.

From rebuilding to World Cup history

The first reward came when Morocco qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, ending a 20-year absence from the tournament.

Although they were eliminated in the group stage, the team showed signs of progress and competed well against strong opposition. The rebuilding process was still in its early stages, but the foundations were clearly being put in place.

Then came Qatar 2022. Morocco produced one of the greatest World Cup runs ever seen from an African nation. They topped a group containing Croatia and Belgium before eliminating Spain and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in the knockout rounds. With every victory, belief across Africa grew stronger.

Their historic journey eventually ended in the semi-finals against defending champions France. Yet Morocco had already achieved something no African nation had done before by reaching the final four of a World Cup.

2026, Africa's strongest contender?

Four years later, Morocco remain Africa's biggest hope of making another statement on the world stage.

Their qualification campaign was perfect. The Atlas Lions won all eight of their matches, finishing with a 100 percent record and carrying strong momentum into the tournament.

The squad still contains many of the players who starred in Qatar, while new talent continues to emerge from Morocco's successful development system.

That is why many believe Morocco's success is no longer a surprise story. It is the result of years of planning, investment and hard work.

Morocco begin their 2026 World Cup campaign with a huge test against record champions Brazil, before facing Scotland and Haiti in their remaining group C matches.

Progressing to the knockout stage will be the first objective, but expectations are much higher than they were four years ago.

AFCON 2025 question

On the pitch, Morocco’s talent remains unquestioned. However, the team heads to the world’s biggest football stage embroiled in a continental controversy regarding the 2025 AFCON title.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board stripped Senegal of the trophy and awarded it to Morocco after it ruled that the Teranga Lions acted in an unsportsmanlike behavior by walking off the pitch during the final game played on January 18.

Senegal have since lodged an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but a ruling is yet to be delivered.

The ruling however, will do the North Africans no harm as they head into the World Cup as the highest ranked African side in FIFA’s global rankings. The team will also be buoyed by their prospects at the tournament, taking inspiration from Qatar 2022

All in all, the Atlas Lions once again carry the hopes of a continent and the belief that another memorable World Cup run may still lie ahead.