Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi was asked about his ambitions for the national team. His answer was bold, direct and almost provocative:
“We can win the World Cup.”
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When I first heard these words, I thought he could have chosen them more carefully.
There is a widespread belief in football that every coach wants his players to believe, but World Cups have a habit of punishing bold predictions. I wondered if those words would eventually come back to Wahby, given the difficult group composition and the inexorable path to the playoffs ahead.
Three group stage matches and two knockout matches later, I am not only repeating the same bold statement, but making an even bolder one: Morocco can win the World Cup and dominate world football for years to come.
Dreams of a post-Qatar 2022
Football sometimes rewards dreamers with shocking tournament results: Croatia’s run to the 2018 World Cup final in Russia was one such example, as was my home country Morocco’s surprise advance to the semi-finals of Qatar 2022.
The latest result not only fulfilled the nation’s dream of one day becoming the first African and Arab world champions, but also significantly increased domestic expectations that Morocco could reach the end in 2026.
With the World Cup in the US about to enter the quarter-final stage, my confidence in Morocco’s triumph is simple: this team has already demonstrated at this tournament that it has many of the qualities that define world champions, setting the stage for an upset winner this year.
Midfielder Ismael Saibary scores the winning penalty in Morocco’s round of 16 match against the Netherlands (Carl de Souza/AFP)
Domination against the Dutch
Beating favorites the Netherlands in the round of 16 (despite them being one place lower in the official FIFA world rankings in eighth place) was Atlas Lion’s biggest game of the tournament.
The Dutch had to abandon their “total football” philosophy and adopt a low-blocking defensive mentality, which showed the level of respect Morocco has now earned among world football powers.
Morocco trailed but equalized late to finish the match 1-1. The North African side could have won in extra time but held their nerve to win 3-2 in a bizarre penalty shootout that saw several missed penalties on both sides.
The biggest statistical takeaway from this match was Morocco’s near total control of the match for an extended period of time, dominating the match with 70 per cent possession against one of the most fearsome attacking teams in world football.
Breaking into a co-host’s party
But if the knockout match against the Netherlands was Morocco’s biggest scalp at the World Cup, the next match against Canada in the round of 16 was the most important.
Games like these demonstrate the character of a team and the resilience that separates good teams from great ones.
Their 3-0 win featured ruthless efficiency, superb understanding of the game from the manager, a bench that could make a difference and a patience that outsmarted a very fast, resilient and physical side.
These are traits that are common to World Cup winners, and Morocco have developed them at an alarming rate during the 2026 tournament.
It is this rapid acceleration of improvement from match to match that proves why this team is undoubtedly stronger than the one that took the world by storm in Qatar. Then we defended our path to the creation of history, and now we are making our way into history.
Moroccan fans celebrate their team’s victory over Canada in the round of 16 at Houston Stadium in Houston, USA, July 4, 2026. (Thomas Coex/AFP)
Don’t get defensive
Of course, it is impossible to win a game without a strong defense. This is why defensive discipline remains part of their core identity, but Morocco now controls matches with greater confidence.
Their midfield is more composed in possession. Transitions have become cleaner, and attacks have more variety and threat. This team no longer relies on counterattacks. He can dictate the pace and press high when needed, or wait patiently for an opportunity to arise.
Equally important is that the composition has great depth. Four years ago, the starting lineup shouldered almost the entire load. Today everything is different. The play that led to the decisive third goal against Canada in the playoffs was started by substitute Chemsdin Talbi, assisted by star Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Diaz and finished off by another player on the bench, Soufiane Rahimi.
The biggest test awaits the favorite
With three matches still to be won to lift the trophy, I, like coach Ouahby, truly believe Morocco can win, but that faith now faces its biggest test yet against old colonial foe and tournament favorite France in the quarter-finals on Thursday in Boston.
For many, this is a rematch of the 2022 semi-final. I see it differently.
Revenge is a good headline, but that’s not the point. What matters is whether Morocco can demonstrate that the talent gap separating the two countries has actually narrowed. Victory over France will not take away Qatar’s pain, but it will significantly strengthen Morocco’s place among football’s elite.
If the Atlas Lions beat France, they will face Spain or Belgium in the semi-finals. No opponent should bully this team.
Morocco eliminated both in Qatar; Spain in the round of 16 and Belgium in the group stage.
These victories changed something, the fundamental thinking of the team. Morocco is no longer turning to Europe’s traditional powers in hopes of surprising them – it is hoping to compete with them.
The World Cup final, should Morocco qualify, could see Argentina, England, Norway or Switzerland on the opposite side of the draw.
Argentina have an unrivaled track record of managing pressure, but their recent failures against Cape Verde and their controversial round of 16 win over Egypt have exposed significant chinks in the defending champions’ armour.
England, however, may offer Morocco the most advantageous tactical matchup, with Morocco’s defensive structure and quick transitions likely to expose England’s occasional lack of flexibility and creativity.
None of the above guarantees Morocco a trophy. World Championships are sometimes unpredictable. Who could have predicted that Brazil would go to Norway or Germany to Paraguay, but there comes a time when faith is driven not only by emotions, but also by facts.
Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi (left) talks to star player Brahim Diaz during a World Cup match at Boston Stadium (Peter Cziborra/Reuters)
Bright future
For years, Morocco has dreamed of competing with the great football powers. The Atlas Lions proved they belonged in Qatar, but now they have the opportunity to achieve something even greater: a multi-year run of dominance.
In Qatar we shocked the football world, but now we want to conquer the world. Thus, the difference between “now” and “then” is not just tactical – it is psychological.
When Ouahbi said Morocco could win the World Cup, I thought he was asking us to believe. Now I realized that he was simply describing the elite team standing in front of him.
The one who can become the WORLD CHAMPION.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policies of Al Jazeera.