Morocco 4-2 Haiti: Atlas Lions Survive a Scare to Reach the Last 32
A night that should have been routine
On paper this was a formality. Morocco arrived in Atlanta as 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, one of the most respected defensive teams on the planet, facing a Haiti side returning to the World Cup for only the second time in their history. Everyone expected a comfortable Moroccan win and a quiet progression to the knockout rounds.
Haiti had not read the script. Inside ten minutes they were in front, and by half-time the Atlas Lions had been forced into a fight nobody saw coming. That Morocco eventually won 4-2 flatters neither the scoreline nor the drama. This was a comeback, not a cruise, and it left Walid Regragui with plenty to think about before the round of 32.
Haiti strike first
The opening goal arrived in the 10th minute and could hardly have been more painful for Morocco. Pressure from Haiti forced a scramble in the Moroccan box, and the ball ended up in the net off Yassine Bounou for an own goal. For Haiti, it was a moment of history; for Morocco, an early jolt that set the tone for a nervy first half.
Morocco pushed to respond and the equaliser came in the 39th minute through the man they so often lean on. Achraf Hakimi surged forward from right-back and finished to make it 1-1, settling some nerves and seemingly putting the favourites back in control.
Isidor's screamer and a half-time lead for Haiti
The control did not last. In the 43rd minute Wilson Isidor produced the moment of the match, unleashing a long-range strike that flew into the top corner past Bounou. It was one of the goals of the group stage, the kind of strike that silences a stadium and travels around the world within minutes.
Haiti led 2-1, and the underdogs were dreaming. But Morocco's response was immediate. In first-half stoppage time, with the last action before the break, Ismael Saibari struck to make it 2-2, restoring parity at exactly the moment Haiti would have wanted to take their lead into the dressing room. The goal was Saibari's third of the tournament, underlining his emergence as Morocco's most reliable finisher.
The substitutes win it
Regragui turned to his bench and it paid off. Soufiane Rahimi, introduced in the second half, scored in the 78th minute to give Morocco the lead for the first time in the match. After conceding twice, the Atlas Lions finally had their noses in front, and the relief was visible across the team.
There was still time for one more. In the 89th minute Gessime Yassine sealed the win, making it 4-2 and removing any lingering doubt. Morocco had come from behind twice to win a match that, for an hour, had threatened to become one of the upsets of the tournament.
What it means for Morocco
The win secured second place in Group C behind Brazil, who edged top spot on goal difference. Morocco finished with seven points and advanced to the round of 32, keeping their campaign on track even if the performance raised questions about defensive concentration.
Conceding an own goal and a long-range strike will concern Regragui, especially with a far tougher test to come. But the character of the comeback, the impact of the substitutes and Saibari's continued scoring will all give Morocco confidence heading into the knockout phase.
What it means for Haiti
Haiti lost, but they left Atlanta with their heads held high. Scoring twice against a World Cup semi-finalist, including a strike of genuine quality from Isidor, gave the Caribbean nation and its huge diaspora a night to remember. For a country with only one previous World Cup appearance, this was a statement that they belonged on the biggest stage.
Les Grenadiers exit the tournament without a point, but with pride intact and a goal that will be replayed for years. For Haitian football, the night carried a significance that goes far beyond the final score.
What's next
Morocco now turn their attention to the round of 32, where they face the Netherlands on June 29 at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico. It is a daunting step up in class against one of Europe's most talented squads, and Regragui will demand a tighter, more disciplined display than the one that nearly came undone against Haiti.
The Atlas Lions have shown before that they save their best for the knockout rounds. In Qatar 2022 they beat Belgium, Spain and Portugal on their way to the semi-finals. Beating the Netherlands would be another marquee scalp and proof that the 2022 run was no fluke.
| Minute | Scorer | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 10' | Bounou (own goal) | 0-1 |
| 39' | Achraf Hakimi | 1-1 |
| 43' | Wilson Isidor | 1-2 |
| 45+1' | Ismael Saibari | 2-2 |
| 78' | Soufiane Rahimi | 3-2 |
| 89' | Gessime Yassine | 4-2 |
Morocco 4-2 Haiti — goal timeline
FAQ
What was the final score of Morocco vs Haiti?
Morocco beat Haiti 4-2 on June 24, 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in their final Group C match at the 2026 World Cup.
Did Morocco win their group?
No. Morocco finished second in Group C with seven points, behind Brazil who took top spot on goal difference. Both teams advanced to the round of 32.
Who scored for Morocco against Haiti?
Achraf Hakimi, Ismael Saibari, Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine scored for Morocco. Haiti's goals came from an own goal by Bounou and a long-range strike by Wilson Isidor.
Who does Morocco play next?
Morocco face the Netherlands in the round of 32 on June 29, 2026 at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico.
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