Morocco and the Road to the 2026 World Cup

A New Format, More African Spots

The 2026 World Cup expands to 48 teams, and Africa's allocation grows to nine direct slots plus a potential tenth through an intercontinental playoff. That expansion gave continental powers like Morocco a clearer runway, but also raised expectations that qualification should be a formality.

For a nation that reached the semifinals in Qatar, the goal was never simply to qualify. It was to qualify convincingly, build momentum, and head into 2026 as one of the most dangerous outsiders in the field.

Building on 2022

Morocco's 2022 run, beating Belgium, Spain, and Portugal en route to fourth place, transformed the national team's identity. Qualifying for 2026 was about proving that historic campaign was a foundation rather than a ceiling.

Walid Regragui kept the core intact while integrating fresh talent from the diaspora pipeline and the Mohammed VI Academy. The blend of experience and youth gave the squad both stability and a higher gear in attack.

The Stars Driving the Campaign

Achraf Hakimi remains the engine on the right flank, combining world-class athleticism with goals and assists. Around him, a generation of European-based stars gives Morocco genuine depth at nearly every position.

That depth matters across a long qualifying cycle. Injuries and form dips are inevitable, but Morocco's squad has the breadth to absorb them without losing competitiveness, a luxury few African rivals enjoy.

Eyes on North America

Reaching the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico positions Morocco to chase another deep run on a global stage. Their 2022 performance proved they can beat anyone on their day.

With a settled manager, a confident squad, and a fanbase that travels in extraordinary numbers, Morocco intends to arrive in North America not as a curiosity, but as a legitimate threat to the world's elite.

Morocco's World Cup Pedigree

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