Football: Maamar & Tajaouart Honored in Brussels after U20 World Cup Triumph

Morocco’s women’s national football team fell short of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (Morocco 2026) after losing to Cameroon 3–1 on penalties (0–0 after regulation and extra time) in the semi-final played Wednesday evening at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

Cameroon will face Malawi in the final on Sunday at the same stadium. Malawi earlier defeated Algeria 3–1 to secure their place in the final.

(MAP: 13 August 2026)

Morocco’s women’s national football team qualified for the semifinals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Morocco-2026) and for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after defeating South Africa 2-1 in a quarterfinal match played Saturday evening at Stade Moulay El Hassan in Rabat.

Morocco’s goals were scored by Soukaina Ouzraoui in the 31st minute following an assist from Hanane Ait El Haj.

Ait El Haj doubled Morocco’s lead in the 52nd minute, while Thembi Kgatlana pulled one back for South Africa in the 67th minute.

The Atlas Lionesses will face the winner of Sunday’s quarterfinal between Cameroon and Nigeria, to be played at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, in the semifinals.

(MAP: 09 August 2026)

The Moroccan women’s national football team has qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following a goalless draw (0-0) against Senegal in their third and final Group A match on Monday evening at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

With this result, Morocco finishes top of the group with 7 points, followed by Algeria (6 pts), while Senegal and Kenya, who were beaten 2-0 by Algeria, exit the competition.

The Atlas Lionesses will face the Group B runners-up in the quarter-finals this Saturday at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium.

(MAP: 03 August 2026)

Morocco women’s national football team head coach Jorge Vilda said his players will approach the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on Sunday, with total determination and a clear desire to live up to the expectations of Moroccan fans.

“Our Lionesses will give everything on the pitch. They will fight until the very end with commitment and determination. No one will be able to question their dedication. We will do everything possible to make Moroccans proud of their national team,” he told MAP on the eve of the tournament, which runs through August 16 in Rabat and Casablanca.

The Spanish coach said this edition of the Women’s AFCON carries added significance as it also serves as a pathway to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, to be held in Brazil next summer.

The objective is to reach the semifinals to secure direct qualification for the World Cup. “After that, we’ll see how far we can go,” he said, while stressing the importance of staying focused on Morocco’s opening match against Kenya and taking the tournament “step by step.”

After three seasons in charge of the Atlas Lionesses, Vilda believes the national team has reached a new level. More than 100 players have been assessed during FIFA international windows and training camps before narrowing the squad down to 26 internationals.

According to Vilda, this process has gradually expanded Morocco’s talent pool while increasing competition for places within the team.

The former Spain coach said his work has focused on strengthening the team’s defensive organization while enhancing its attacking capabilities to produce a more attractive and creative style of football.

Beyond tactics, he stressed the importance of mindset, competitiveness and commitment, which he considers the foundations of the team’s progress in recent years.

Playing on home soil is not an added source of pressure but rather a powerful motivation, Vilda added.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup-winning coach with Spain said the high expectations of Moroccan supporters reflect the confidence they have in the team.

He welcomed the opportunity to play in front of home fans, whom the Atlas Lionesses are eager to reward with performances that match the country’s ambitions.

Morocco will compete in Group A of the Women’s AFCON alongside Senegal, Algeria and Kenya.

Moroccan women’s national football team head coach Jorge Vilda unveiled on Friday a list of 26 players selected for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), scheduled in Morocco from July 25 to August 16.

Morocco has been placed in Group A alongside Senegal, Algeria and Kenya.

Here follows the full list of the selected players:

Goalkeepers:

– Khadija Er-Rmichi

– Ines Arouaissa

– Fatima-Zahra El Jebraoui

Defenders:

– Hanane Ait El Haj

– Zineb Redouani

– Aziza Rabbah

– Siham Boukhami

– Rania Boutiebi

– Nouhaila Benzina

– Maryame Atiq

– Nesryne El Chad

Midfielders:

– Soumia Hady

– Ghizlane Chebbak

– Najat Badri

– Hajar Said

– Yasmin-Katie M’Rabet

– Elodie Nahla Nakkach

Forwards:

– Kenza Chapelle

– Imane Saoud

– Kautar Azraf

– Jade Nassi

– Fatima Tagnaout

– Sakina Ouzraoui

– Chaimaa Mourtaji

– Ibtissam Jraidi

– Sanaa Mssoudy.