Morocco's World Cup 2026 chances: Hakimi's generation faces history's pressure and the dream of repeating the Qatar miracle

Africa Today at 14:36

Khaled Hegazy

News Editor

13.06.26 18:00 World Cup

Brazil

-

:

Morocco

-

Morocco kicks off their highly anticipated World Cup 2026 campaign against Brazil in North America 14 June aiming for another deep knockout run.

From underdogs to heavyweights

Four year after their miraculous run in Qatar, the North African side arrives in the United States, Canada and Mexico with a completely different status.

They are no longer the tournament's dark horses. Opponents now meticulously prepare for their tactical setup and the expectations from their massive global fanbase are higher than ever.

A new tactical blueprint without En-Nesyri

Manager Mohamed Ouahbi has selected a dynamic 26 man roster that heavily signals a shift in attacking philosophy.

The most glaring omission from the squad is traditional striker Youssef En-Nesyri alongside veteran winger Sofiane Boufal. Instead the team features versatile, mobile attackers.

The system primarily operates as a 4-2-3-1, engineered to unleash rapid counter attacks and exploit the spaces left by high pressing opponents.

The creative spark and the defensive anchor

Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz is expected to be the primary creative engine in the final third, capable of operating as a number ten or a false 9 to break down stubborn defenses.

Defensively the backline remains incredibly robust. Achraf Hakimi acts as both a defensive stabilizer and an auxiliary winger while Yassine Bounou continues to provide world class security between the posts.

Navigating a demanding group stage

Group C presents a fascinating blend of footballing cultures. The Atlas Lions will open their campaign against tournament favorites Brazil.

Following this massive test, they face a highly physical Scotland side anchored by Premier League veterans before concluding the group stage against a motivated Haiti team looking to make a statement in their long awaited return to the global stage.

Proving they can beat the best

The opening clash against the South American giants might seem daunting on paper but the current squad knows how to secure a result against the five time champions. The Atlas Lions previously beaten the Seleção 2-1 in international friendly match in Tangier in Mar 2023.

The burden of the semifinalists

Carrying the weight of a previous semifinal appearance into a new World Cup cycle is a notoriously heavy psychological burden.

Croatia faced this exact challenge in 2022 after reaching the 2018 final and they successfully utilized their tournament experience to grind out another deep run to third place. Morocco now possesses that identical core of battle tested veterans.

Related teams and leagues

Brazil

Morocco

World Cup