Hakimi leads nine returning Morocco players from Qatar 2022 at World Cup

Lead

When Morocco take the field at the 2026 World Cup, they will do so as Africa's highest-ranked side and as continental champions, carrying the weight of a historic 2022 campaign that saw them become the first African and Arab team to reach the semifinals. But the road to North America has been anything but smooth, with a coaching change in March and a bitter Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final that ended in controversy and a diplomatic row with Senegal.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting from Al Jazeera and RFI — English paints a picture of a team with high ambitions but significant off-field distractions. Both outlets highlight Morocco's strong squad and the legacy of the 2022 run, but they differ in emphasis. Al Jazeera's coverage focuses on the squad's strength and the chaotic circumstances surrounding the team, including the managerial departure and the AFCON fallout. RFI — English, meanwhile, provides a more neutral profile, emphasizing Morocco's FIFA ranking and World Cup history, while also detailing the AFCON controversy and the team's new coach.

Key Claims

Morocco made history at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first African and Arab team to reach the semifinals, as reported by both Al Jazeera and RFI — English. They eliminated Spain and Portugal before losing to France. That run was overseen by coach Walid Regragui, who parted ways with the team in March, according to both outlets. He was replaced by Mohamed Ouahbi, who had led Morocco's Under-20 side to the 2025 Youth World Cup title, as reported by RFI — English.

Ouahbi has retained 17 players from the 2025 Cup of Nations squad, and his selection for the 26-man squad drew heavily on the country's diaspora in Europe, with the majority of players born there, according to Al Jazeera. This includes Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi and Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz, both born in Spain, as well as other players with European roots. Three players — Issa Diop, Anass Salah-Eddine, and Ayyoub Bouaddi — had their change of national eligibility approved by FIFA in the past nine months, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Morocco will open their campaign against Brazil on June 13 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as reported by Al Jazeera. They will then face Scotland in Massachusetts and finish Group C against Haiti on June 24 in Atlanta. The top two teams in the group advance directly to the round of 16, with the third-place team also potentially advancing.

Morocco is ranked eighth in the FIFA world rankings, according to both Al Jazeera and RFI — English. They will be joined by nine other African teams at the 2026 World Cup, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal in January was marred by controversy. According to both outlets, Senegal's players walked off the pitch in protest after Morocco were awarded a contentious stoppage-time penalty following a VAR review, with the game at 0-0. The match sheet showed Senegal won 1-0, but after an appeal over the Senegalese players leaving the pitch, Caf's appeals committee awarded the match to Morocco. Senegal is contesting that ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as reported by RFI — English. Al Jazeera also reported that 18 spectators were jailed following the disruption.

Perspectives

Morocco's perspective: As reported by Al Jazeera, Morocco enters the tournament with a strong squad and hopes to replicate or surpass their 2022 run. The team is dealing with the fallout from the AFCON final, but the focus is on the World Cup.

Senegal's perspective: As reported by RFI — English, Senegal is contesting the Caf decision to award the AFCON title to Morocco at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, arguing that the match sheet showed they won 1-0 and that the appeal was over the players leaving the pitch.

Coach Mohamed Ouahbi's perspective: As reported by RFI — English, Ouahbi, who was hired in March, has drawn on the diaspora and retained many players from the 2025 Cup of Nations squad. He has also integrated young talents like Ayyoub Bouaddi, who chose to represent Morocco over France.