Morocco Prepares for 2026 World Cup with Key Player Lineups and Group Draw

Morocco’s Atlas Lions to Face 2026 FIFA World Cup with New Coach

The Moroccan national team, known as the Atlas Lions, will participate in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team has a rich history in international competitions, having reached the semifinals of the 2022 tournament and winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title four years ago.

Morocco’s squad boasts a strong lineup, with players such as Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech, and Youssef En-Nesyri. The team is led by coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who has taken over from Walid Regragui after his departure in March. Ouahbi previously managed Morocco’s Under-20 side to the 2025 Youth World Cup title.

The Atlas Lions will face a challenging run-up to the tournament, having recently experienced controversy surrounding their Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal. The team was awarded a stoppage-time penalty, which sparked protests from Senegal’s players and fans, leading to several spectators being jailed. The incident has left a toxic fallout for the team.

Coach Ouahbi will face an uphill task in leading the team to success, given his limited experience at the senior level. He has stated that he is focused on performing well, rather than rebuilding the team from scratch. The team’s best player, Brahim Diaz, had been driving Morocco to the final in the previous tournament and won the Golden Boot with five goals.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to begin on June 11, and fans can follow the action on Al Jazeera’s dedicated World Cup page.

Source: Al Jazeera