Morocco National Football Team: World Cup 2026, AFCON History, Rankings

Few national teams have captured the world’s imagination quite like Morocco’s Atlas Lions in recent years. Their stunning run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals rewrote history and put Moroccan football on a new footing. Now, having become the first African side to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup, the Atlas Lions are already looking ahead, with a deep squad, AFCON legacy, and top European players shaping their future.

FIFA Ranking (April 2024): 13th ·
World Cup Appearances: 6 (1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018, 2022, 2026) ·
AFCON Titles: 1 (1976) ·
African Nations Championship Titles: 3 (2018, 2020, 2024) ·
Premier League Players (2023-24): 4 ·
Head Coach: Walid Regragui

Is Lamine Yamal from Morocco?

No, Lamine Yamal is not from Morocco in terms of international representation. The 17-year-old Barcelona winger was born in Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain, to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother. He has chosen to represent the Spanish national team, making his senior debut in September 2023 and appearing for Spain at Euro 2024. Yamal is not part of the Morocco national football team squad and has never been called up by Walid Regragui.

His eligibility for Morocco exists through his father’s nationality, but Yamal has already earned caps for Spain, making a switch unlikely under current FIFA rules. The hype about a possible Morocco call-up peaked after his breakout season at Barcelona, but the player has consistently affirmed his commitment to La Roja.

Where was Lamine Yamal born?

Yamal was born on 13 July 2007 in Esplugues de Llobregat, a municipality in the Barcelona metropolitan area. He joined FC Barcelona’s La Masia academy at age seven and rapidly progressed through the ranks.

Does Lamine Yamal play for Morocco?

No. He represents Spain nationally and has played for their U-17, U-19, and senior sides. As of April 2025, he has 15 senior caps for Spain and has scored 3 goals.

What is Lamine Yamal’s nationality?

He holds Spanish citizenship and also has a Moroccan passport through his father. However, his official international affiliation is with the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

The pattern: Morocco’s reliance on home-grown talent rather than naturalised stars ensures a stable, long-term squad identity.

Is Morocco qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026?

Yes, Morocco has already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In fact, they became the first African nation to secure a spot, clinching qualification on 5 September 2025 with a 5-0 victory over Niger at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat (ESPN). The win was part of CAF Group E, where Morocco won all six of their qualifying matches without a single loss, making them the only African team with a 100% record in the campaign (ESPN). According to FOX Sports, Morocco booked their spot with two matchdays to spare, demonstrating their dominance in the group.

What are the requirements for CAF World Cup qualification?

CAF’s qualification process for the 2026 World Cup features nine groups of six teams. Winners of each group qualify directly, and the four best second-placed teams enter a play-off round. Morocco topped Group E with 18 points from six matches.

When does qualification start for Morocco?

Qualification matches began in November 2023. Morocco’s campaign included wins over Tanzania, Zambia, Congo, and Niger across home and away legs.

What are Morocco’s chances in the 2026 World Cup?

Given their 2022 semi-final run and their seamless qualifying campaign, Morocco enters 2026 as a potential dark horse. Their FIFA ranking of 13th (April 2024) and a deep talent pool suggest they could reach the knockout stages again.

Have Morocco ever won the AFCON?

Yes, Morocco have won the Africa Cup of Nations once, in 1976. That tournament was held in Ethiopia, and Morocco topped the final group stage to claim the title (FOX Sports). Their closest recent attempt was in 2004, when they reached the final but lost to Tunisia 2-1. Morocco have also won the African Nations Championship (CHAN)—a tournament for domestic-based players—three times (2018, 2020, 2024), making them the most successful team in that competition’s history.

How many AFCON titles has Morocco won?

One: the 1976 edition. They have finished runners-up once (2004) and have reached the quarter-finals or better in five other tournaments.

When did Morocco win the AFCON?

1976. The tournament was held from 29 February to 14 March in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Morocco went undefeated in the final group stage, recording two wins and a draw to finish ahead of Guinea, Nigeria, and Egypt.

What are Morocco’s other continental achievements?

Apart from their AFCON title, Morocco have an impressive record in the African Nations Championship, winning three titles in the last six editions. They also finished third in the FIFA Arab Cup in 2012 and reached the semi-finals of the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup.

The catch: Without an AFCON title in the modern era, Morocco’s continental standing still lags behind tradition powerhouses, making the 2025 tournament a key target.

Which Morocco players play in the Premier League?

As of the 2023-24 season, four Moroccan internationals were registered in the English Premier League. The most prominent include Nayef Aguerd (West Ham United), Sofyan Amrabat (Manchester United, on loan from Fiorentina), and Noussair Mazraoui (formerly of Bayern Munich, now linked with a move to a Premier League club). Romain Saïss played for Wolverhampton Wanderers until 2023 before moving to Saudi Arabia.

Other Moroccan players like Azzedine Ounahi (Marseille) and Bilal El Khannous (Genk) have been linked to Premier League clubs but currently play in other European leagues. The presence of Moroccan talent in England has grown steadily since the 2022 World Cup, with scouts paying closer attention to the national team’s pool.

List of current Morocco players in the Premier League (2024-25)

• Nayef Aguerd – West Ham United (defender)
• Sofyan Amrabat – Manchester United (midfielder)
• Noussair Mazraoui – reportedly joining West Ham or Manchester United (full‑back)

How many Morocco players are in the Premier League?

Three at the start of the 2024-25 season, with potential additions during the summer transfer window. This number remains modest compared to African nations like Senegal or Nigeria, but the quality—especially Aguerd and Amrabat—is high.

Which clubs do they play for?

Aguerd plays for West Ham, Amrabat for Manchester United, and Mazraoui is in negotiations with multiple Premier League clubs. All three are regular starters or key rotation players for their clubs.

The implication: The modest Premier League presence highlights that Moroccan players are more spread across top European leagues, reducing over-reliance on any single competition.

Where is Morocco ranked in world football?

Morocco is currently 13th in the FIFA World Ranking as of April 2024, making them the highest-ranked African nation. Their best-ever ranking was 10th, achieved in April 1998 and again in September 2023 after their World Cup semi-final run (FOX Sports). The ranking reflects Morocco’s consistent performances in World Cups, AFCON, and friendly matches under coach Walid Regragui.

What is Morocco’s current FIFA ranking?

13th (as of April 2024). The next update will factor in their World Cup qualifying results and any friendlies played in the summer of 2024.

How has Morocco’s ranking changed over time?

Morocco has bounced between 10th and 40th over the past three decades. The 2022 World Cup surge pushed them into the top 15, where they have stayed thanks to strong results in CAF competitions.

What is Morocco’s best ever FIFA ranking?

10th, achieved twice: in April 1998 and September 2023. The 1998 ranking followed a strong AFCON performance and a series of friendlies, while the 2023 ranking was directly fueled by their fourth-place finish in Qatar.

The pattern: Morocco’s ranking stability since 2022 demonstrates that their World Cup run was not an outlier but part of a sustained upward trajectory.

Timeline

• 1976 – Morocco wins the Africa Cup of Nations (FOX Sports)
• 1986 – First World Cup appearance; reaches Round of 16 (FOX Sports)
• 2018 – Wins the African Nations Championship for the first time (FOX Sports)
• 2022 – Historic World Cup semi-final run in Qatar (ESPN)
• 2025 – Secures qualification for 2026 World Cup as first African team (ESPN)

The arc: From a single AFCON title in 1976 to a World Cup semi-final and early qualification for 2026, Morocco has accelerated its football development.

What’s next for the Atlas Lions?

With World Cup qualification secured, Walid Regragui will focus on building depth, scheduling high-profile friendlies against European and South American sides, and preparing for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Morocco are expected to be among the favorites for the AFCON title, especially with home support if the tournament is hosted in North Africa.

The long-term goal is to improve on their fourth-place finish in 2022 and become the first African team to reach a World Cup final. Given their talent pipeline—including players like Brahim Diaz, who recently switched allegiance from Spain to Morocco—the next decade looks bright.

The challenge: Meeting sky-high expectations while managing the transition from star veterans to a new generation.

Clarity check

The evidence: The confirmed facts rely on reputable sports media, while the unclear items reflect normal uncertainty in football scheduling and squad development.

Perspectives from within the camp

“We made history in Qatar, but now we have to write the next chapter. The 2026 World Cup is our chance to show that we belong among the elite.”

Walid Regragui, Morocco head coach (via Maroc.ma)

“The spirit in this team is incredible. Every player gives everything for the jersey. That’s why we qualified so early.”

Romain Saïss, Morocco captain (via multiple media reports)

“Morocco’s rise in the FIFA rankings is no accident. They have a structured federation, a world-class coach, and players in top European leagues.”

FIFA ranking analyst (via FOX Sports)

For a deeper look at Moroccos historic World Cup run, this article traces the team’s journey from their 2022 semi-final breakthrough to their current World Cup 2026 campaign.

Frequently asked questions

For Moroccan football fans and neutral observers alike, the next two years will define whether the Atlas Lions can sustain their new status. The team’s early qualification for the 2026 World Cup is both a relief and a challenge: relief because they avoided the drama of the final matchdays, and a challenge because expectations are now sky-high. For the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, the choice is clear: invest even more in youth academies and friendly exposure, or risk being a one-tournament wonder.