Morocco’s Golden Generation Back Again

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

The Morocco national football team is preparing for another FIFA World Cup campaign, set to take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada in June and July. The Atlas Lions continue to establish themselves as one of the most competitive sides from both Africa and the Arab world.

This will mark Morocco’s seventh FIFA World Cup appearance and their third consecutive participation, as they look to build on the historic legacy created at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Morocco produced one of the most remarkable runs in modern World Cup history, becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals before ultimately finishing fourth. Their campaign was defined by a record-setting defensive structure, conceding only one goal from open play prior to the semi-final stage.

The journey began in Group F, where Morocco topped the group after drawing 0–0 with Croatia, defeating Belgium 2–0, and beating Canada 2–1. In the Round of 16, they produced one of the tournament’s biggest shocks by eliminating Spain on penalties (3–0) after a 0–0 draw.

They then defeated Portugal 1–0 in the quarter-finals, with Youssef En-Nesyri scoring a famous header that sent Morocco into uncharted territory as the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semi-final.

Their historic run eventually ended with a 2–0 defeat to France in the semi-finals, followed by a 2–1 loss to Croatia in the third-place playoff. Even so, their achievement fundamentally reshaped expectations for African and Arab football on the global stage.

Since that breakthrough, Morocco have remained a strong force in international and continental football. Earlier this year, they reached the Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal in a highly controversial clash, eventually losing 1–0 after extra time. The match descended into chaos after Senegal’s players staged a 15-minute walkout following a stoppage-time penalty awarded to Morocco, a decision that sparked furious protests. Urged back by captain Sadio Mané, Brahim Díaz took the spot-kick but missed a Panenka, and Senegal ultimately prevailed in extra time. Months later, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled that the disruption had compromised the final’s integrity, stripping Senegal of the title and awarding it to Morocco. CAF’s decision came after Moroccan head coach Walid Regragui had already stepped down, with Mohamed Ouahbi appointed ahead of the World Cup.

Morocco now enter the upcoming World Cup with a strong core of experienced players from that historic 2022 campaign. Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech remain two of the most influential figures in the squad. Both have accumulated 10 World Cup appearances across the 2018 and 2022 editions.

Now, with the North American tournament just weeks away, Morocco are no longer outsiders hoping to surprise, but a side already measured against football’s elite. In every stadium they step into, the question is no longer whether they belong, but how far they can go this time.