Earlier than the FIFA World Cup 2026 started, Morocco’s head coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, was requested about his ambitions for the nationwide group. His reply was daring, direct and nearly provocative:
“We will win the World Cup.”
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Once I first heard these phrases, I believed he may have chosen them extra fastidiously.
It’s broadly understood in soccer that each coach desires his gamers to imagine, however World Cups have a behavior of punishing daring predictions. I puzzled whether or not these phrases would finally come again to hang-out Ouahbi with a troublesome group lineup and an unforgiving knockout path forward.
Three group stage fixtures and two knockout matches later, I discover myself not solely repeating the identical daring assertion, however making a bolder one: Morocco can win the World Cup and could dominate world football for years to come.
Put up-Qatar 2022 dreaming
Soccer sometimes rewards dreamers with shock match outcomes: Croatia’s run all the way in which to the Russia 2018 World Cup remaining was one such instance, as was my house nation of Morocco’s surprising development all the way in which to the semifinals of Qatar 2022.
The latter end result not solely stoked a nation’s dream of in the future changing into the primary African and Arab world soccer champions but in addition considerably raised expectations contained in the nation that Morocco may go all the way in which in 2026.
With the World Cup in america about to enter the quarterfinal stage, my conviction of a Morocco triumph is straightforward: this group has already demonstrated at this match that it possesses lots of the qualities that outline world champions, setting the stage for an upset winner at this 12 months’s version.
Domination towards the Dutch
The victory over the favoured Netherlands facet within the spherical of 32 – regardless of them being ranked one place decrease at eighth within the official FIFA World rankings – was the Atlas Lion’s greatest recreation of the match.
The Dutch needed to abandon their “complete soccer” philosophy and adopted a low-block defensive mentality, which confirmed the extent of respect Morocco has now garnered towards world soccer powerhouses.
Morocco went behind, however equalised late to complete 1-1 in regulation. The North African facet may have gained in additional time, however they stored their composure and prevailed 3-2 in a wierd penalty shootout, that includes a number of missed spot kicks from either side.
The most important statistical takeaway from that fixture was Morocco’s near-total management of the match for giant intervals, dominating the encounter with 70 % of the possession towards some of the feared offensive groups in world soccer.
Gatecrashing the cohost’s celebration
But when the knockout contest towards the Netherlands was Morocco’s greatest scalp on the World Cup, it was the next match towards cohost Canada within the final 16 that was an important.
These are the type of video games that present the character of the group and the resilience that separates good groups from the good ones.
There was a ruthless effectivity to their 3-0 victory, an outstanding understanding of the sport from the coach, a bench that might make a distinction and a persistence that outfoxed a really quick, resilient, and bodily group.
These traits are shared by World Cup winners, and Morocco has been creating them at an alarming tempo throughout the 2026 match.
It’s this fast acceleration of match-to-match enchancment that proves why this group is undoubtedly stronger than the one which captivated the world in Qatar. Again then, we defended our approach into making historical past – now, we’re taking part in our approach into historical past.
Don’t get defensive
After all you possibly can’t win video games and not using a stable defence. That’s the reason the defensive self-discipline stays a part of their core identification, however Morocco now controls matches with higher confidence.
Their midfield is extra composed in possession. Transitions are cleaner, and the assault carries extra selection and threats. This group is now not depending on counterattacks. It could dictate the tempo and press excessive when essential or patiently look forward to alternatives to look.
Simply as importantly, the squad has higher depth. 4 years in the past, the beginning XI carried nearly the whole burden. In the present day, it’s completely different. The play that led to the pivotal third aim towards Canada within the knockouts was initiated by a substitute, Chemsdine Talbi, then facilitated by way of Actual Madrid star midfielder Brahim Diaz, and completed by one other bench participant, Soufiane Rahimi.
Best take a look at awaits towards the favorite
With three matches nonetheless to win to get their palms on the trophy, I really imagine, just like the coach Ouahbi, that Morocco can prevail, however this perception now faces its best examination towards the previous colonial enemy, and match favorite, France in Thursday’s quarterfinal in Boston.
For a lot of, it is a rematch of the 2022 semifinal. I see it in another way.
Revenge makes an excellent headline – however it’s not what issues. What issues is whether or not Morocco can show that the expertise hole separating the 2 nations has genuinely narrowed. Defeating France wouldn’t erase the ache of Qatar – however it might validate Morocco’s place amongst soccer’s elite in a profound approach.
Ought to the Atlas Lions overcome France, then Spain or Belgium await within the semifinals. Neither opponent ought to intimidate this group.
Morocco eradicated each in Qatar; Spain within the spherical of 16 and Belgium within the group stage.
These victories modified one thing, the elemental considering of the group. Morocco now not approaches Europe’s conventional powers hoping to shock them – they count on to compete with them.
The World Cup remaining, ought to Morocco attain it, may deliver Argentina, England, Norway or Switzerland from the other facet of the draw.
Argentina possesses unmatched expertise in navigating stress however their latest stumbles towards Cape Verde and their controversial, come-from-behind victory against Egypt within the spherical of 16 has uncovered sizeable gaps within the armour of the defending champions.
England, nevertheless, might supply Morocco essentially the most beneficial tactical matchup, with Morocco’s defensive construction and fast transitions able to exposing England’s occasional lack of fluidity and creativity.
Not one of the above ensures Morocco the trophy. World Cups are unpredictable at instances. Who may have predicted Brazil would fall to Norway, or Germany to Paraguay, however there comes a degree when perception is not only pushed by emotion but in addition by proof.
Vivid future
For years, Morocco dreamt of competing with soccer’s nice powers. In Qatar, the Atlas Lions proved they belonged, however now they’ve a possibility to realize one thing even higher: a multi-year interval of domination.
In Qatar, we shocked the soccer world – however now we wish to beat the world. Thus, the distinction between at times isn’t simply tactical – it’s psychological.
When Ouahbi stated Morocco may win the World Cup, I believed he was asking us to imagine. Now I’ve come to the realisation he was merely describing the elite group standing in entrance of him.
One that may turn out to be WORLD CHAMPIONS.
The views expressed on this article are the writer’s personal and don’t essentially mirror Al Jazeera’s editorial coverage.
