Morocco 2026 World Cup Preview - Can the Atlas Lions Go All the Way?
Morocco enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the reigning African champions and 8th-ranked team globally, boasting a balanced squad of veterans and emerging stars. Now led by Mohamed Ouahbi, who integrates 2025 U20 World Cup talents, the Atlas Lions face a tough Group C highlighted by a matchup against Brazil. Experts predict Morocco will likely finish second in the group but exit in the Round of 32. Brahim Díaz and Ayoub El Kaabi are the top picks for team goalscorer.
- Morocco are aiming to build on 2022’s World Cup semi-final run
- New manager Mohamed Ouahbi has a plethora of young talent
- Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi lead the top goalscorer market
The Lions Roar Again - Morocco’s Quest for the World Cup
After their earth-shattering run to the semi-finals in Qatar, the Atlas Lions are no longer a dark horse among the world's elite.
- The Lions Roar Again - Morocco’s Quest for the World Cup
- World Cup History
- The Road to 2026 - The Perfect Campaign
- The Manager - Mohamed Ouahbi
- The Squad - Top Quality from Top to Bottom
- Players to Watch
- Group C Schedule and Path to the Final
- 2026 World Cup Winner Betting Odds
- Group C Straight Forecast Betting Odds
- Stage of Elimination Betting Odds
- Top Team Goalscorer Betting Odds
Entering the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the reigning African champions and ranked 8th in the world, Morocco arrive with a squad that is arguably more talented and balanced than the history-making class of 2022.
World Cup History
Morocco have been a pioneer for African football, becoming the first team from the continent to top a group in 1986 and the first to reach a semi-final in 2022.
The Atlas Lions went on a sensational run in Qatar, topping Group F that included Croatia, Belgium and Canada. They knocked out Spain and Portugal to reach the semis where they lost 2-0 against France.
| Year | Host | Stage Reached |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Mexico | Group Stage |
| 1986 | Mexico | Round of 16 |
| 1994 | USA | Group Stage |
| 1998 | France | Group Stage |
| 2018 | Russia | Group Stage |
| 2022 | Qatar | Fourth Place |
The Road to 2026 - The Perfect Campaign
Morocco's qualification for the World Cup was dominant. Competing in CAF Group E, they won all eight matches, scoring 22 goals while conceding only two.
Finishing ninep points ahead of Niger, the clinical run cemented their status as the highest-ranked African nation in history.
The Manager - Mohamed Ouahbi
Walid Regragui resigned in March, a decision that shocked many with the World Cup on the horizon. He said: "The team needs a fresh face, a different energy, and a new perspective with a new coach."
"I think the team needs a new lease of life before the World Cup, a new vision to continue progressing. My decision to leave is part of this team's evolution."
Morocco turned to Mohamed Ouahbi who was the architect behind Morocco’s 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup title. He implemented a 4-2-3-1 system in his first two games in charge.
The Squad - Top Quality from Top to Bottom
The Morocco squad is a formidable blend of veteran leadership including Yassine Bounou and Ayoub El Kaabi and a majority of elite young talent groomed in European academies.
The defensive unit remains strong and has been bolstered with Issa Diop who was born in France and played for the country at the U21 level.
Mohamed Ouahbi is attempting to integrate the heroes of Morocco's recent U20 World Cup title into the senior ranks, including Ismaël Baouf, Gessime Yassine and Yassir Zabiri.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Issa Diop, Nayef Aguerd, Noussair Mazraoui; Bilal El Khannouss, Neil El Aynaoui, Ismael Saibari; Brahim Díaz, Ayoub El Kaabi, Abde Ezzalzouli
Players to Watch
Achraf Hakimi: Arguably the best right-back in the world. Coming off successive UEFA Champions League finals with PSG, he is Morocco's captain, primary playmaker from deep and their emotional leader.
Neil El Aynaoui: A versatile midfielder playing for Roma, he is recognised for his technical security, high passing accuracy, aerial ability and work rate.
Bilal El Khannouss: The wunderkind of Moroccan football. A midfield maestro who dictates tempo and provides the link between defense and attack.
Brahim Díaz: The most significant addition to the squad since 2022. His ability to operate in tight spaces gives Morocco the creative x-factor they lacked in the Qatar semi-final.
Ayoub El Kaabi: The clinical finisher. After leading the line during the qualifiers, he has displaced Youssef En Nesyri as the preferred starting striker.
Group C Schedule and Path to the Final
Morocco's campaign begins against powerhouse Brazil followed by Scotland. They end Group C against Haiti in Atlanta.
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 13 | Brazil | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
| June 19 | Scotland | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough |
| June 24 | Haiti | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
A top two finish in Group C will see the Atlas Lions face one of the top two teams in Group F, likely to be the Netherlands, Sweden or Japan.
Finishing as one of the best third placed teams would pit Morocco against a group stage winner.
2026 World Cup Winner Betting Odds
Morocco are given an outside chance of winning the World Cup, currently listed at 50/1 next to Japan.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spain |
5.50 |
| France |
6.00 |
| England |
7.00 |
| Brazil |
9.00 |
| Argentina |
9.00 |
| Portugal |
12.00 |
| Germany |
13.00 |
| Netherlands |
21.00 |
| Norway |
26.00 |
| Belgium |
34.00 |
| Colombia |
34.00 |
| Japan |
51.00 |
| Morocco |
51.00 |
| USA |
67.00 |
| Uruguay |
67.00 |
| Mexico |
81.00 |
| Switzerland |
81.00 |
| Croatia |
81.00 |
| Turkey |
81.00 |
| Ecuador |
101.00 |
| Senegal |
101.00 |
| Sweden |
126.00 |
Group C Straight Forecast Betting Odds
Brazil are deserved favourites in Group C but Morocco will fancy their chances against Scotland and Haiti.
| First/Second | Odds |
|---|---|
| Brazil/Morocco |
2.10 |
| Brazil/Scotland |
2.25 |
| Morocco/Brazil |
10.00 |
| Morocco/Scotland |
34.00 |
Source: Stake.com and correct on 15 May 2026
Stage of Elimination Betting Odds
Morocco are short odds to get out of Group C but bookmakers are expecting a swift exit in the Round of 32.
Top Team Goalscorer Betting Odds
Ayoub El Kaabi and Brahim Diaz lead the way with Youssef En Nesyri next best. Diaz won the golden boot at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations where he scored five goals, El Kaabi scoring three and Ismael Saibari netting once.
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ayoub El Kaabi |
4.00 |
| Brahim Diaz |
4.00 |
| Youssef En Nesyri |
5.00 |
| Zakaria Aboukhlal |
9.00 |
| Soufiane Rahimi |
9.00 |
| Achraf Hakimi |
11.00 |
| Abdessamad Ezzalzouli |
11.00 |
| Azz-Eddine Ounahi |
13.00 |
| Hamza Igamane |
13.00 |
| Ismael Saibari |
13.00 |
| Amine Adli |
13.00 |
| Eliesse Seghir |
17.00 |
| No Morocco Goalscorer |
34.00 |
| Jawad El Yamiq |
41.00 |
| Noussair Mazraoui |
41.00 |
Source: Stake.com and correct on 152 May 2026
Verdict
Morocco are likely to fall short against Brazil but have enough quality to finish second in Group C.
Brahim Diaz was top scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations, is the penalty taker and a decent shout to be top goalscorer.
Brazil/Morocco
Group C Straight Forecast
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Morocco Top Goalscorer
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