2023 AFCON: Morocco Secure Top Spot in Group F with 1-0 Victory over Zambia

2024-01-25

San Pedro (Côte d’Ivoire) – In a thrilling match at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in Côte d’Ivoire’s San Pedro on Wednesday, Morocco triumphed over Zambia with a score of 1-0, securing the top spot in Group F in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The victory guarantees Morocco’s qualification for the round of 16.

The decisive goal came in the 38th minute, courtesy of the talented Hakim Ziyech, who proved to be the hero for the Atlas Lions. The skillful playmaker showcased his prowess with a well-executed strike that ultimately sealed the fate of the match.

With this triumph, Morocco finishes the group stage at the pinnacle of Group F, showcasing their dominance and determination in the tournament. The team’s solid performance in the group matches sets the stage for an exciting journey into the knockout stages of the 2023 AFCON.

Looking ahead, Morocco is set to face off against South Africa, the second-placed team in Group E, in the round of 16. The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled for next Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. GMT+1, once again at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro.

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FIFA Greenlights Ayoub Bouaddi as Moroccan National Team Player

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) announced that it received a decision on Friday from the Players’ Status Chamber (PSC) of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), dated May 15, 2026, approving its request regarding the change of sporting nationality for the player Ayoub Bouaddi, who plays for LOCS Lille (France).

This decision by the PSC signifies the official and immediate eligibility of Ayoub Bouaddi to represent the Moroccan National Team in various international competitions, the FRMF specified in a press release.

U17 AFCON: Morocco Share Points with Tunisia in 1st Fixture (1-1)

The Moroccan U17 national football team and its Tunisian counterpart played to a 1-1 draw in their opening Group A match of the Africa Cup of Nations, played on Wednesday at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

The Tunisians opened the scoring through Yahya Jlidi in the 28th minute of play, before Ilian Hadidi scored the equalizer in the 76th minute.

Moroccan National Team to Play Three Friendlies Ahead of FIFA World Cup

The Moroccan national team will play three friendly matches in preparation for its participation in the 2026 World Cup finals, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The first friendly match will see the national team face Burundi this May 26 at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, behind closed doors, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) announced in a press release on Tuesday.

Achraf Hakimi’s teammates will then play against Madagascar on June 2 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, starting at 6:00 PM, the FRMF specified.

The final match will pit the Atlas Lions against Norway on June 7 at the Red Bull Arena in New York, United States, at 3:00 PM local time.

Morocco has been drawn alongside Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti in Group C of the 2026 World Cup.

World Cup 2026: New Jersey to Host Morocco’s National Team’s Base Camp

New Jersey will host the Moroccan national team’s base camp during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Governor Mikie Sherrill announced on Tuesday.

“New Jersey is thrilled to welcome Morocco, and the rest of the world, for the 2026 World Cup,” which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the Governor stated during a joint press conference with Morocco’s Ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani.

The base camp dedicated to the “Atlas Lions”- who will compete in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti- will be established at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge, located approximately one hour’s drive from New York City.

“We are particularly honored” that the Moroccan team- to the great delight of the Moroccan community residing in New Jersey- decided “to make our state their ‘home away from home’ this summer,” Sherrill cherished before an audience of journalists and young athletes from the greater New York area.

Founded in 1861, The Pingry School previously served as a training site for the Italian national team during the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The “Miller Bugliari ’52 World Cup Field”- the home stadium for Pingry’s soccer team- has long served as a training venue for numerous clubs, particularly European ones such as AC Milan, Juventus, Manchester United, and Liverpool.

Renovated in 2025, this facility now features two international-standard grass pitches, modern amenities, and a sports center designed for high-performance training.

In addition to Morocco, three other national teams have chosen to establish their base camps in New Jersey- namely Brazil, Haiti, and Senegal- the Governor added during the conference, which was also attended by Alex Lasry, CEO of the New York and New Jersey World Cup Host Committee.

According to Governor Sherrill, the decision to choose New Jersey underscores the state-of-the-art quality of the sports infrastructure made available to national football teams in the State.

Referring to the centuries-old relations between Morocco and the United States, the Governor recalled that the Kingdom was the first nation to recognize America’s independence, adding that the two countries are preparing to celebrate this summer the 250th anniversary of a historic friendship and a strategic alliance.

Playing in World Cup Would Be Fulfillment of Childhood Dream, Says Zakaria El Ouahdi

KRC Genk right-back Zakaria El Ouahdi is aiming for a spot with Morocco at the next World Cup, a goal he describes as “a childhood dream,” despite particularly fierce competition in his position.

“Playing in a World Cup with Morocco would be the fulfillment of a childhood dream,” Zakaria El Ouahdi said in an interview published Saturday by the Belgian daily HBVL, while acknowledging that competition for a place in the national team remains “extremely strong.”

“Achraf Hakimi is the best right-back in the world, Noussair Mazraoui plays for Manchester United, and Omar El Hilali of Espanyol is also a very high-level player,” he explained, noting that national team coach Mohamed Ouahbi also has several options on the left flank, including Salah-Eddine of PSV and El Karouani of Utrecht.

Recently called up to the senior national team, the 23-year-old Zakaria El Ouahdi made his first appearance in a friendly game against Paraguay at the end of March, hoping he “made a good impression.”

Having previously played for youth national teams, he won the U23 Africa Cup of Nations under Issame Charaï, an experience he describes as decisive in his international career and in strengthening his attachment to the Moroccan jersey.

As upcoming fixtures approach, the defender stresses the need to keep improving and to “prove he is in form,” despite an outstanding season with KRC Genk, marked by 11 goals and 3 assists in 37 matches.

Zakaria El Ouahdi was named Belgian Lion 2025, an award recognizing the best player of Maghreb origin playing in Belgium’s top division.

Morocco to Face Norway in Friendly on June 7 in United States

The Moroccan national “A” team will face its Norwegian counterpart in a friendly match scheduled for June 7 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in the city of Harrison (New Jersey), United States.

This friendly match is part of Morocco’s national team preparations for the final phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said in a statement.

Kick-off for this match is scheduled at 8:00 p.m. (Morocco time), according to the same source.

Wednesday 27 May 2026