Morocco National Football Team: Latest News and Updates

Nov 07, 2025 0

The story of Moroccan football continues to be written in bold letters. From historic achievements to upcoming tournaments, here's a comprehensive look at the latest news surrounding the Morocco national football team.

Historic Achievements and World Cup Qualification

Morocco became the first African country to book a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, described Morocco's qualification for the 2026 World Cup as an "exceptional performance." Tunisia also qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a significant moment for North African football.

In recent history, Morocco has continued to make headlines on the global footballing stage with the national team becoming the first African country to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in 2022, showcasing the country's growing influence in international football.

Upcoming Tournaments and Preparations

The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 will kick-off in Morocco in exactly 100 days, bringing together passionate fans from across the continent and showcasing Africa's football excellence to the world. Morocco will start the Africa Cup of Nations as host in a group with Mali, Zambia, and Comoros.

With less than two months to go before AFCON 2025 kicks off, these two friendlies are the Atlas Lions’ last chances to get things right on their tactics. The Atlas Lions will get things started on November 14 when they take on Mozambique. Four days later, on November 18th, it’s Uganda’s turn to face Morocco. Having these games fall within the official FIFA international window is good for head coach Walid Regragui.

The Grand Stade de Tanger is set to be one of the main venues for the AFCON 2025 tournament and will play host to some major matches during that tournament. Work on the renovation was finished in late September 2025, costing around $360 million (3.6 billion MAD), turning the stadium into one of the most modern football arenas on the continent.

Morocco has been confirmed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as the host nation for Africa's four-team World Cup playoffs set for next month. The tournament offers one African country a pathway to an additional slot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

CHAN Achievements

Morocco secured a record third African Nations Championship (CHAN) title after overcoming first-time finalists Madagascar 3-2 in a pulsating final. Morocco have become the first nation to win the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) three times, cementing their status as the undisputed kings of a competition designed to celebrate the best of Africa's home-based talent. The victory cements Morocco's dominance in CHAN history, adding to their triumphs in 2018 and 2020.

Oussama Lamlioui says the team spirit in the Morocco team is what has helped the Atlas Lions to progress to the knock-out stages of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.

Women's Football

Nigeria staged a remarkable fightback from two goals down to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 and win their 10th Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) on Saturday. Nigeria staged an extraordinary second-half comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 and lift their 10th TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) crown at the Stade Olympique in Rabat on Saturday night.

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Ghizlane Chebbak has once again etched her name in African football history by securing the Golden Boot at the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024--three years after her first.

Morocco booked their place in a second successive Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final after edging Ghana 4-2 on penalties in a tense semi-final clash that ended 1-1 after extra time in Rabat on Tuesday night.

Yasmin Mrabet's penalty sent Morocco into knockout stages with win over Senegal. A composed first-half penalty from Yasmin Mrabet was all Morocco needed to secure a hard-fought 1-0 win over Senegal in their final group match, a result that confirms the Atlas Lionesses' qualification for the knockout stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

In one of the most captivating contests of the 2024 CAF TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Sakina Ouzraoui Diki rose to the occasion on Tuesday, guiding Morocco to a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Ghana before edging the Black Queens 4-2 on penalties to reach their second consecutive WAFCON final.

The final four of the CAF TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2024 showcases the continent's finest, a host nation propelled by a rare wave of home support, a Ghanaian side on a mission, the reigning champions still standing, and the historical giant with an unmatched pedigree.

Key Players and Team Dynamics

For Morocco, losing Hakimi would be a difficult blow to take. The right-back is the heart and soul of Walid Regragui’s team, both on and off the field. His leadership was essential during the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where the Atlas Lions became the first African team to reach the semifinals, making world soccer history.

Ahmed Faras achieved iconic status in Morocco. The footballer was a hero to the people, a source of pride and national unity.

Morocco's Football Culture

Football was introduced to Morocco during the French and Spanish colonial periods, with the first recorded matches taking place in the 1920s. Moroccan teams quickly developed a passion for the sport which leading to the establishment of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation in 1955.

AS FAR's Success

AS FAR have dominated domestically since 2012, and at one point, winning the league and the Throne Cup was no longer enough. Last year’s final in Rabat remains a painful memory for Alioua. Yet, that setback became a source of renewal. “In defeat, you learn. We realised we needed more depth, better recruitment and emotional control.

“Our supporters are our greatest strength,” he smiles. “They fill the stands at home and even travel with us abroad. They put the same pressure and passion on the women’s team as on the men’s - and that’s an incredible force. They are our capital, our pride. As Morocco continues its golden era of football, AS FAR carry the hopes of a nation once more.

The upcoming FIFA Women’s Club World Cup, to be held in England, adds a new layer of significance to this year’s competition. “It’s a dream,” says Alioua. “It would be another level entirely - facing the best teams from Europe, South America, and beyond. But it’s also an opportunity. Africa is growing fast, and Morocco wants to be part of that story.

Alioua’s journey mirrors the broader transformation of Moroccan football. “We want to live up to this new national dynamic,” he says. “There’s an expectation that Moroccan teams will lead by example - in structure, professionalism, and performance.

Here is a table summarizing Morocco's achievements in major football tournaments:

Morocco ⚪️ Road to the Semi final World Cup - 2022

Tournament	Achievement	Year
FIFA World Cup	First African Team to Reach Semifinals	2022
African Nations Championship (CHAN)	Champions	2018, 2020, 2024
Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON)	Finalist	2024