This article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June.

The plan

Four years after reaching the semi-finals of a World Cup for the first time, Morocco set sail for North America with ambitions high and a squad with even better pedigree than at Qatar 2022.

Sometimes history does repeat itself and Morocco will hope that happens this time. Just as in 2022, the head coach was recently sacked. Mohamed Ouahbi, who won the Under-20 World Cup with Morocco last year, replaced Walid Regragui in March.

That switch means the Atlas Lions will not have much time to get used to the coach’s tactics and philosophy. In late March, Morocco drew 1-1 against Ecuador and beat Paraguay 2-1, showing signs of improvement compared with their recent form under Regragui. Ouahbi prefers a 4-2-3-1 formation that can morph into 4-2-2-2 to create a lane of space in front of the captain, Achraf Hakimi, on the right flank.

The biggest challenge will be to live up to the expectations. In 2022, they made an unexpectedly deep run. Now the team is ranked eighth in the world and the pressure will be constant. “I am aware of the expectations, but very honoured,” Ouahbi said at his unveiling. “I am committed to working with seriousness, humility and determination and also a lot of patriotism to continue on the path of progression of this team.”

This team had already broken a couple of glass ceilings (reaching the aforementioned semi-final, plus their top-10 ranking), but in January, Morocco experienced one of the most bizarre episodes in its footballing history. In the Afcon final, Senegal’s players left the pitch in protest over a penalty awarded to Morocco. After a long delay Brahim Díaz missed his Panenka spot-kick and Senegal went on to win 1-0. Two months later, however, the Confederation of African Football, Caf, awarded the title to Morocco.

Senegal have appealed to the court of arbitration for sport. Whatever happens, the Afcon final was a trauma, the repercussions of which could burst out at any time if results don’t Morocco’s way. “We all lived a trauma as Moroccans. That final was a difficult moment, but I think what matters the most is continuity”, Ouahbi said. Continuity meaning to do as well, or better, than in Qatar.

The coach

Born in Brussels, Mohamed Ouahbi first chose a career in education. However, his first experiences as a teacher were difficult and he was approached by local club Maccabi Foot Brussels (MFB), where he started coaching and discovered the importance of pedagogy and communication. “At the time I wasn’t really comfortable in front of a group [of people],” he said. “MFB helped me impose myself and discover the job of a coach.” Having spent 17 years in the Anderlecht academy, Ouahbi has seen many talented players grow into superstars. In 2022, he took charge of the Morocco Under-20 team. He not only took the Atlas Cubs to their first World Cup in two decades, they won a maiden title in Chile. He is expected to bring the same energy and decisiveness at the top level.

Star player

Achraf Hakimi is, without doubt, the biggest star Moroccan football has known. If Larbi Ben Barek, Noureddine Naybet and Yassine Bounou have all enjoyed the love and respect of fans, Hakimi is on another level. He has been consistently successful for some of the world’s best teams. After starting his career at Real Madrid, he has represented Borussia Dortmund, Inter and Paris Saint-Germain, where he won the Champions League in 2025. “I don’t know if Luis Enrique changed my career,” he said. “But his arrival has changed how the world of football sees me.” In February, it emerged he will face trial after an allegation of rape against him. He denies the accusation.

One to watch

He became a Morocco international last September, but Neil El Aynaoui is already considered one of the Atlas Lions’ best players. Son of Moroccan tennis legend, Younes El Aynaoui, he is a multifunctional midfielder, strong in recovering the ball and keen to join attacks. After a convincing stint at Lens he joined Roma last summer and, despite the fans’ initial scepticism and few appearances at the start of the season, he became an important player for them. If Morocco are to be successful in North America El Aynaoui will be an important piece of the jigsaw.

Unsung hero

Noussair Mazraoui is a soldier on the field. Framed as a right-back, “Nous” is much more than that. At Manchester United he has been used in six positions, ranging from central defence to attacking midfield. For the national team Mazraoui is a left-back, and helps as a third centre-back when Achraf Hakimi is on the attack, which is often the case. But Mazraoui is definitely important when the team needs a leader, especially when Hakimi is not there. Mazraoui is keen to make sure his teammates do not lose focus and that says a lot about how involved he is.

Probable starting XI

What to expect from fans

As in Russia and Qatar, Morocco fans will fill their allocated seats in North America. As well as a growing fanbase that can afford to follow the national team wherever it plays, Morocco can count on a large diaspora on the other side of the Atlantic. There are approximately 30,000 Moroccans living in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts, as well as many in Canada. So expect fans to add colour and positive noise, inside and outside stadiums. The highlight is likely to be the national anthem.

Relationship with the US/Trump?

Morocco has strong ties with the co-hosts of the tournament going back to 1777, when it became the first country to recognise US independence. Trump, meanwhile, during his first mandate, proclaimed that the US recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, which made him very popular. US culture, especially Hollywood and music, has a huge influence in everyday Moroccan life.

The main issue is not political – and not even with the US – but rather with Fifa and the ticket prices. Moroccans are prepared to pay to see a national team game, but the pricing for this tournament has reached new highs.

Written by Amine El Amri for SKWAD by 2M TV