Four years after they stunned the world in Qatar, Morocco are doing it all over again. The Atlas Lions have surged into the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, cementing their status as the standard-bearers of African football and one of the most feared teams left in the tournament. This isn't a fairy tale anymore — it's a dynasty in the making.
Here's the full story of Morocco's 2026 campaign so far, and the mouth-watering clash that lies ahead.
An Unbeaten Start in a Group of Death
Morocco were handed a daunting group alongside five-time world champions Brazil, a tricky Scotland side, and Haiti. For most teams, that draw would spell trouble. For Regragui's men, it became a statement.
The highlight was a superb 1-1 draw against Brazil, a result in which many felt Morocco deserved to win outright. They followed it up with a victory over Scotland and a commanding 4-2 win over Haiti, with Soufiane Rahimi among the scorers. Seven points from a possible nine, unbeaten, and a second-place finish behind only Brazil on goal difference — the perfect way to announce their intentions.
Round of 32: Drama Against the Dutch
If the group stage showed Morocco's quality, the Round of 32 showed their heart. Facing a strong Netherlands side marshalled by Virgil van Dijk, the Atlas Lions found themselves behind when Cody Gakpo struck in the 72nd minute.
What followed was pure theatre. Deep into stoppage time, defender Issa Diop rose to glance home a header from Chemsdine Talbi's cross, hauling Morocco level in the 91st minute and forcing extra time. Thirty more goalless minutes — including a jaw-dropping Verbruggen save to deny Rahimi — sent the tie to a penalty shootout.
The shootout was chaos. Morocco missed their first through Neil El Aynaoui, and captain Achraf Hakimi struck the post. But goalkeeper Yassine Bounou produced the decisive save to deny Crysencio Summerville, and Ismael Saibari held his nerve to slam home the winning spot-kick, sealing a 3-2 shootout victory and knocking the Netherlands out.
Round of 16: A Statement Win Over Canada
Any doubts about whether Morocco could go all the way were answered emphatically in Houston. Facing co-hosts Canada in front of a partisan crowd, the Atlas Lions were patient in a cagey first half before turning on the style after the break.
Azzedine Ounahi was the star of the night, scoring twice — first curling a stunning strike into the bottom corner following a Hakimi set-piece, then pouncing on Brahim Diaz's clever hold-up play. Rahimi added a third in stoppage time to complete a ruthless 3-0 win. Brahim Diaz, with his assist, set a new African record with his fourth assist at a World Cup.
The result made Canada the first co-host to exit the tournament — and sent Morocco into the last eight in style.
History Made, Again
Morocco's achievements at this tournament are already staggering. They are the first African nation ever to reach back-to-back World Cup quarter-finals, having finished fourth in Qatar in 2022 as the first African and Arab team to ever reach a World Cup semi-final.
