Before the FIFA World Cup 2026 began, Morocco’s head coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, expressed ambitious goals for the national team. Building on Morocco’s unexpected progression to the semifinals of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the nation’s dream of becoming the first African and Arab world football champions has grown stronger, raising expectations for a deep run in 2026.

A key statistical highlight from Morocco’s recent performances is their near-total control of matches, exemplified by dominating possession—up to 70 percent—against some of the most formidable offensive teams globally. These qualities align with traits shared by past World Cup winners, and Morocco has been rapidly developing them throughout the 2026 tournament.

Meanwhile, defending champions Argentina, despite their unmatched experience in handling pressure, have shown vulnerabilities. Their recent struggles against Cape Verde and a controversial comeback win against Egypt in the round of 16 have exposed significant gaps in their defense.

Football history shows that dreamers can achieve shock outcomes, as seen with Croatia’s run to the 2018 World Cup final and Morocco’s 2022 semifinal appearance. With momentum on their side, Morocco is poised to seize the moment and contend for the 2026 FIFA World Cup title.

Sources