What Happened to Morocco's 2022 World Cup Journey?

Morocco's national football team, dubbed the 'Atlas Lions,' embarked on an unprecedented journey at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, captivating audiences worldwide. Under the guidance of coach Walid Regragui, who was appointed just three months before the tournament, Morocco defied expectations by topping Group F, which included strong European teams like Croatia and Belgium. They drew 0-0 with Croatia, defeated Belgium 2-0, and beat Canada 2-1 to advance to the knockout stages.

The Atlas Lions continued their historic run by eliminating football giants Spain in the Round of 16 after a dramatic penalty shootout (3-0), with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou making crucial saves. They then secured a memorable 1-0 victory over Portugal in the quarter-finals, becoming the first African and Arab nation ever to reach a World Cup semi-final. Their dream run eventually ended with a 2-0 loss to reigning champions France in the semi-finals, followed by a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in the third-place play-off, securing a commendable fourth-place finish.

The impact of their 2022 performance extended beyond the pitch, significantly boosting Morocco's international image and confidence. This momentum contributed to Morocco, alongside Spain and Portugal, being officially ratified as co-hosts for the 2030 FIFA World Cup on December 11, 2024, after five previous unsuccessful bids. The country is now undertaking significant infrastructure investments in preparation for the tournament.

However, the period post-2022 also saw challenges. Morocco was eliminated in the Round of 16 at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (played in January 2024) by South Africa. In January 2026, they reached the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil but lost 1-0 to Senegal, a result that intensified scrutiny on coach Walid Regragui. Consequently, Regragui resigned in March 2026, just three months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing the need for a 'fresh face' and 'new energy' for the team's evolution. Mohamed Ouahbi, who had successfully led Morocco's U-20 team to a World Cup title in 2025, was appointed as the new head coach.

Under Ouahbi, Morocco continued its strong trajectory, qualifying directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by winning their CAF Group E. In the 2026 World Cup group stage, they finished unbeaten in Group C with seven points, drawing 1-1 with Brazil and securing victories against Scotland and Haiti, thus advancing to the Round of 32. As of today, June 30, 2026, Morocco faced the Netherlands in the Round of 32. After a 1-1 draw, with Issa Diop equalizing in stoppage time, Morocco triumphed 3-2 in a penalty shootout, securing their place in the Round of 16 where they will face Canada. The team is currently ranked 6th in the FIFA World Rankings.