World Cup 2026: Netherlands - Morocco, time for revenge

Morocco and the Netherlands are intrinsically linked by their history. For more than 400 years, the two countries have established significant diplomatic relations. The direct result is the large Moroccan community living in the Netherlands. Moreover, several current internationals with the Atlas Lions, including Noussair Mazraoui and Sofyan Amrabat, were born in the Dutch kingdom.

Catching Up to the Netherlands in Head-to-Head Encounters

This will be the fourth encounter between the Netherlands and Morocco in history. Before the round-of-16 duel, the two teams have met three times. And for now, it's the Oranjes who are ahead with 2 wins and one loss. The Atlas Lions have the opportunity to set the record straight tonight.

The Netherlands and Morocco faced each other for the first time during the 1994 World Cup in the United States (June 29, 1994). It was a group stage game in Orlando where the Oranjes won 2-1 thanks to goals from Dennis Bergkamp and Bryan Roy. Hassan Nader was the Moroccan goal scorer in that match.

Thanks to Mustapha Hadji and Salaheddine Bassir, Morocco got the better of the Netherlands (2-1) in a friendly match in Arnhem on April 28, 1999.

The most recent encounter was in Agadir on May 31, 2017, in a friendly. The Netherlands won 2-1 with goals from Quincy Promes and Memphis Depay. M'Bark Boussoufa pulled one back for Morocco.

Qualification for the next round is on the minds of all the Moroccan players. Mohamed Ouahbi was very confident in the pre-match press conference. Morocco's coach admits his group has the motivation to go and get a positive result against Virgil van Dijk and his teammates.

"Believe me, the greatest motivation we have is to wear this shirt and represent this country. With that motivation alone, we can move mountains. The Netherlands are a different profile, a different context, and a knockout match. But we will stay true to our principles, while adapting to the challenges they may pose to us. ", he said.

Eliminating the Netherlands, a Strong Message to Send to Marco van Basten

Morocco has a score to settle. Some years ago, the Atlas Lions were seen as a small team. Years later, they reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup. They are performing thanks to an exceptional squad. After holding Brazil in the first round (1-1), Achraf Hakimi and his teammates have a new opportunity to make their mark. Eliminating the Netherlands to confirm their progress, and also to respond to Marco van Basten.

Hakimi Ziyech, born in Dronten, Netherlands, and Oussama Tannane, born in Tetouan, Morocco, both went through Dutch youth national teams. At senior level, they all decided to represent the Atlas Lions. In 2016, Marco van Basten, assistant coach of the Oranjes at the time, was very tough on the two players. To the extreme, he almost dismissed Morocco completely.

"These are stupid choices, these are stupid boys who should have had a bit of patience. Ziyech is a great player and Tannane a very good one, but how can you be stupid enough to opt for Morocco when you are eligible for the Dutch team? Why don't these so-called agents better represent the player's interests? They'd be better off selling cakes. ", he said.

This statement sparked huge controversy and will certainly continue to resonate in the minds of Morocco's current players. To finally put an end to the impact of the Dutch legend's outburst, the Atlas Lions must eliminate the Netherlands and do it in style. The hour of revenge has arrived.