Remember Morocco's 2022 World Cup squad? The one that had Youssef En-Nesyri scoring that header against Portugal, Hakim Ziyech dribbling circles, and Soufiane Boufal dancing with his mom? It was a Cinderella story that captivated the world.
Fast forward to the 2026 World Cup, and nearly all those familiar faces are gone. Manager Walid Regragui? Also departed. Only a handful of players and the goalkeepers remain. Yet, somehow, this new, youthful Moroccan team hasn't lost a single match. They even beat the Netherlands in a penalty shootout to reach the Round of 16. Because apparently that’s just what Morocco does now.
Naturally, everyone's asking: Can this new Atlas Lions squad, packed with fresh talent, outshine the beloved darlings of 2022? The original team won their group, but this one didn't quite rack up enough goals against Haiti and Scotland to unseat Brazil in Group C. To truly impress, they’ll need to at least match that legendary semifinal run.
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Start Your News DetoxThe Class of 2022: Defense First
Back in 2022, coach Regragui, appointed just three months before the tournament, had a simple, effective plan: defense. He had no time for fancy footwork; he focused on what worked. Football analyst Mohammad Alrfae noted that Regragui's team was older, more experienced, and decidedly defensive, rarely bothering with ball possession. Their highest possession rate was, ironically, in their only loss, against France.
Regragui's Morocco played a mid-block, pulling opponents in with a tactical disinterest in the ball, then pouncing on counter-attacks. Striker En-Nesyri even doubled as a defensive disruptor, forcing teams wide. This strategy was so effective, even powerhouses like Portugal found themselves dropping deep, limiting their own attacks. It was beautiful, gritty football.
However, this defensive solidity didn't translate to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). They crashed out in the Round of 16 in 2023, and then things got really weird in the 2025 AFCON final. After a controversial disallowed goal and a missed penalty, they were declared champions by forfeit against Senegal, a decision later reversed, then re-reversed. Allegations of referee favoritism swirled, and support from neutral fans began to waver.
The Youth Movement of 2026: Attack, Attack, Attack
Following the AFCON drama, Regragui was out. In came Mohammed Ouhabi, a coach known for leading Moroccan youth teams to impressive victories, including a bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This was another last-minute coaching change, but with a clear goal: a more attacking style of play.
Ouhabi brought in a slew of young players he already knew, perfectly suited for his fluid, position-switching tactics. The impact was immediate: a 1-1 draw with Brazil in their very first game. North African football journalist Maher Mezahi sees this as a long-term play, eyeing the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will host. The average age of the starting players is under 26, with half of the outfielders 25 or younger. This isn't just a team; it’s a strategy.
In their Round of 32 match, Morocco even forced the Netherlands to play five defenders, an "implicit admission" that Morocco was the stronger team, according to Mezahi. He argues this proves 2022 wasn't a fluke, and that the coaching change was spot on. The Atlas Lions are here to stay.
From fairytale underdogs to serious contenders, Morocco has evolved. The controversial AFCON win might have alienated some fans, but that stunning draw against five-time world champions Brazil has gone a long way in winning back hearts. It cemented their status as the best Arab and African team at the World Cup for the second time in four years. Let that satisfying number sink in.
And the culture remains. Noussair Mazraoui was captured on video telling Gessime Yassine to pray after his debut goal. Mothers are back in the celebrations, with Ismail Saibari, the penalty hero against the Netherlands, embracing his mom. Even Yassine Bono, the smiling goalkeeper hero from 2022, was back to his old tricks in the penalty shootout. Much has changed, but the spirit endures.
Now, with a Round of 16 match against Canada looming, and a potential quarterfinal rematch against their 2022 nemesis France, Morocco is pushing for the later stages. And honestly, who would bet against them now?
