FIFA WC 2026: All to know about the Atlas Lions
Four years after the beautiful epic in Qatar with a historic semi-final for Africa, Morocco is expected at the turn during this 2026 World Cup, even if it has since experienced several changes. From the staff to the players and their playoff run, here’s everything you need to know about one of the continent’s biggest prospects in the competition.
Philemon MBALE · Author profile ·
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Identity card
Nickname: the Lions of the Atlas
Federation: Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FMRF)
FIFA Ranking (May 2026): 7th in the world (1st in Africa)
Coach: Mohamed Ouahbi (49 years old, Moroccan)
Iconic captain: Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
History in the World Cup: 7th participation after 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018 and 2022
The qualifying round: an impressive clear run
Housed in a five-nation Group E, namely Niger, Congo Brazzaville, Zambia and Tanzania, Morocco has taken on everyone, winning its eight qualifying matches. The Atlas Lions showed the strength of their offensive sector with a 5-0 inflicted on Niger last September.
Morocco scored 22 goals for just two conceded, making them the third best defense of the Africa zone playoffs, tied with Egypt. A defensive strength that has been one of Morocco’s biggest weapons throughout the qualifying campaign, even if it fell into a relatively affordable group.
Next challenge: winning the World Cup
After reaching the semi-finals in 2022, Morocco no longer has constituencies for its World Cup ambitions. The Atlas Lions, who finished in fourth position during their last participation, now want to lift the trophy and do not hide it. «We have a very good staff, who put everything in place so that we are ready on the ground. We hope that everything will go well and that we will win this World Cup," confided Issa Diop again this week, in comments reported by Le360 Sport after the 4-0 victory against Madagascar.
Like him, the rest of his teammates share this same ambition and are confident in their ability to turn it into a reality. If they made history in 2022, the Atlas Lions now want to become part of legend.
The coach: Mohamed Ouahbi, efficiency in serenity
Less demonstrative than his predecessor on the bench, Mohamed Ouahbi is not far from being competent and deserving. Crowned with a coronation at the U20 World Cup with the Lion Cubs in 2025, the 49-year-old technician will experience his first major competition with Morocco. Calm but very methodical and youth-oriented, Mohamed Ouahbi has the ability to unite two generations while achieving results.
Mohamed Ouahbi for his first major challenge.
Appointed only in March, he has already breathed new life into a Moroccan tmAN. In 4 matches, he remains undefeated with 3 wins including the one against Paraguay in March (2-1), a draw (vs Ecuador; 1-1) before the last friendly match of preparation for the World Cup this Sunday evening against Norway. His 4-2-3-1 breaks with the modular 4-4-3 in 3-5-2 by Walid Regragui, and restores momentum to the play of the Lions.
The 26 Atlas Lions for the 2026 World Cup
Keepers
Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal)
Munir El Kajoui (RS Berkane)
Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (FAR Rabat)
Defenders
Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United)
Anass Salah-Eddine (PSV Eindhoven)
Mohamed Belammari (Al-Ahly)
Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
Nayef Aguerd (OM)
Chadi Riad (Crystal Palace)
Redouane Halhal (Mechelen)
Issa Diop (Fulham)
Midfielders
Samir El Mourabet (Strasbourg)
Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille)
Neil El Aynaoui (AS Rome)
Sofyan Amrabat (Fenerbahce)
Azzedine Ounahi (Girona)
Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart)
Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven)
Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland)
Abde Ezzalzouli (Bétis)
Attackers
Sufian Rahimi (Al-Ain)
Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiakos)
Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid)
Gessime Yassine (Strasbourg)
Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Three players to watch
1. Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
He is the natural leader of this Moroccan team. With 95 caps, Achraf Hakimi is the most capped player of the 26 Atlas Lions who will play in the World Cup this summer. If his teammates already admire him for his leadership on and off the field, The club record of the right-back of PSG forces a little more admiration from them who gave him a special welcome when he arrived at the preparation camp for this World Cup as the winner of the Champions League, the third of his career. Achraf Hakimi will be the first relay of Mohamed Ouahbi on the pitch and will play a crucial role in the Moroccan campaign.
2. Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille)
Selected just before the start of this World Cup, Ayyoub Bouaddi will be one of the curiosities to follow with Morocco. Newly arrived, the Lille native is well on his way to being a regular in a pivot doubl next to either Sofyan Amrabat or Neil El Aynaoui. His ability to absorb pressure will be a crucial asset for the collective balance of Morocco.
3. Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid)
After the 2025 AFCON and the disappointment that followed for Brahim Diaz, the Real Madrid attacking midfielder will play a new competition with Morocco and will inevitably be expected, especially since he is coming out of a season in half-timestained in Bernabéu where he had to alternate between the bench and the Madrid 11. But with Morocco, Brahim Diaz has rarely disappointed and will be one of the biggest offensive weapons of Mohamed Ouahbi at the World Cup.
The probable type team (4-2-3-1)
Bounou – Hakimi, Diop, Aguerd, Mazraoui – El Aynaoui (ou Amrabat), Bouaddi – Saibari, Ounahi, Diaz – El Kaabi
The group and the opponents at the World Cup (Group C)
Brazil vs Morocco (Sunday, June 14 – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford): Three years after their historic victory (2-1) in a friendly against Brazil, Morocco will meet the Seleçao for their first match at the World Cup. A tough opponent to enter the competition that will require discipline and solidarity, while Brazil dreams big with Carlo Ancelotti.
Scotland vs Morocco (Saturday 20 June – Gillette Stadium, Foxborough): Another opponent to take seriously for the Atlas Lions. With its vertical and dynamic game, Scotland advances with its weapons.
Morocco vs Haiti (Thursday, June 25 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta): back at the World Cup after 51 years of absence, Haiti will be very motivated against Morocco, regardless of the results of its first two games. Thus, the Atlas Lions could play the head or second place in Group C in this match that will be important in the final standings. It’s also a match you absolutely have to win to reassure yourself for the rest of the competition.