When Morocco reached the World Cup semifinals in 2022, many saw it as a surprise. As Jeremiah Mugalu I didn’t.
What the Atlas Lions achieved in Qatar was not luck. It was the result of planning, talent and belief. They beat some of the world’s biggest teams and showed that African football can compete with anyone.
That is why I believe Morocco heads into the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Africa’s best chance of making history.
The pressure will be greater this time. Opponents will know what Morocco is capable of and there will be no element of surprise. But there is also a confidence that comes from having been there before.
The squad still has quality across the pitch, from a solid defence with Nayef Aguerd, Achraf Hakimi to players who can decide matches in a moment like Brahim Diaz. More importantly, they have experience of playing under the spotlight and handling the expectations that come with success.
For years, African teams have dreamed of reaching a World Cup final, Cameroon came close in 1990, Senegal inspired a continent in 2002, Ghana was inches away in 2010 and Morocco went even further in 2022.
Now they have the chance to take the next step, the expanded World Cup gives teams more opportunities, but it also demands consistency. Morocco has already shown it can handle the biggest occasions. If they find their rhythm early, another deep run is well within reach.
As an African football fan, I believe this team can once again carry the hopes of the continent. They have the talent, the mentality and the experience to challenge the traditional powers of world football.
Whether they can reach the final remains to be seen but one thing is certain, Morocco will be one of the teams worth watching when the World Cup begins.
And for football fans across Africa, there will be no better place to follow every moment than on DStv. From the opening match to the final whistle of the tournament, viewers can enjoy the drama, excitement and unforgettable stories that make the World Cup the biggest show in sport.
Morocco has already changed African football history and in 2026, they might just make even more.
Morocco’s World Cup squad
Goalkeepers
Yassine Bounou, Munir El Kajoui, Reda Tagnaouti
Defenders
Noussair Mazraoui, Anass Salah-Eddine, Youssef Belammari, Achraf Hakimi, Zakaria El Ouahdi, Nayef Aguerd, Chadi Riad, Redouane Halhal, Issa Diop
Midfielders
Samir El Mourabet, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui,Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss, Ismael Saibari
Forwards
Abde Ezzalzouli, Chemsdine Talbi, Soufiane Rahimi, Ayoub El Kaabi, Brahim Diaz, Gessime Yassine, Ayoube Amaimouni
Head Coach – Mohamed Ouahbi
2026 FIFA World Cup | Group Stage
- June 13, 2026: Brazil vs. Morocco
- June 19, 2026: Scotland vs. Morocco
- June 24, 2026: Morocco vs. Haiti
