‘Good to Get into the Competition’: Morocco’s Head Coach Optimistic about Team’s AFCON Victory

The Moroccan national team defeated its Bahraini counterpart 1-0 in a friendly match played Thursday evening at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

The winning goal for the Atlas Lions was scored by Jawad El Yamiq in stoppage time (90+4).

In its next match, the Moroccan national team will face Congo on October 14 at the same stadium on the final round of the African World Cup qualifiers (Group E).

The Moroccan team secured its qualification for the 2026 World Cup as early as Matchday 7, by defeating Niger 5-0 on September 5 in Rabat.

Morocco has moved up one spot to 11th in the latest FIFA men’s world ranking released on Thursday.

The Atlas Lions, with 1,706 points, benefited from Germany’s drop to 12th after a shock defeat in its opening 2026 World Cup qualifier.

Morocco is close behind Croatia and Italy, which have climbed to 9th and 10th places respectively.

Spain returned to the top of the global table for the first time since 2014, overtaking Argentina, which slipped to third after holding the number one spot for more than two years. France climbed to second place, while Portugal re-entered the Top 5 at Brazil’s expense.

In Africa, Senegal remains 18th, while Egypt dropped to 35th and Algeria is now 38th. 

Slovakia recorded the biggest jump worldwide, rising ten places to 42nd following a strong start to World Cup qualifying.

Canada (26th) and Kosovo (91st) both achieved their best-ever rankings since FIFA introduced the system in 1993.

Moroccan international Brahim Díaz is a “major asset” for both the Moroccan national team and Real Madrid, writes Spanish news site OkDiario.

The attacking midfielder is enjoying a successful spell and has established himself as one of the best players among the Atlas Lions, who have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the outlet notes.

With Real Madrid, Brahim Díaz stands out for his versatility and creativity, making him an essential part of coach Xabi Alonso’s system, the Spanish media outlet emphasizes.

OkDiario reports that the Malaga-born player also enjoys high visibility off the pitch, having become the most attractive figure for sponsors and a prime ambassador for Moroccan football.

The news site reminds that Real Madrid recently extended Brahim Díaz’s contract until 2027, deeming him a key member of its current and future squad.

The Moroccan national football team, which has already secured a spot at the 2026 World Cup, defeated its Zambian peer 2-0 on Monday in Ndola, as part of Group E’s 8th matchday of the African qualifiers.

The goals were scored by Youssef En-Nesyri (7′) and Hamza Igamane (47′).

With this latest victory, the Atlas Lions consolidated their position as group leaders with 21 points from seven wins in as many games, followed by Tanzania (10 points), Zambia and Niger (6 points) and Congo (1 point).

Morocco, the first African country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, will be participating in this global competition for the seventh time in history and the third time in a row (1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018, 2022). 

Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, affirmed that the national team respects all its opponents and will face Zambia on Monday in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with “the objective of winning.”

“We play every match to win. We came to Zambia to deliver a good performance,” Regragui said on Sunday at a press conference, held on the eve of Monday’s fixture in Ndola (2:00 p.m.), which will see Morocco take on Zambia in Matchday 8 of Group E of the African qualifiers.

The coach noted that although this encounter holds no stakes for the Atlas Lions, who have already booked their ticket to the next World Cup, it will nonetheless serve as an opportunity to give other players the chance to showcase their talent.

“We won’t be fielding the same lineup that played against Niger on Friday, but we will keep in mind the objective of winning,” he said, adding that “the goal is to put on a good display, even if there is some fatigue, but we’ll have to manage that.”

“This is also a good strategy for us not to reveal all our cards, since Zambia will be in the same group as Morocco at the upcoming AFCON,” he stressed, noting that “this is a great opportunity for the players taking part in this game to show their qualities.”

“We know Zambia well. They need to win and reaffirm their status in Africa. The changes we make on our side will certainly matter (…). But this is a good thing, because we don’t want them to have reference points against us,”he further explained.

“For us, the essential thing is that we are already qualified for the 2026 World Cup and that we remain in this positive dynamic,” the national coach underlined, pointing out that “we are now focused on the next AFCON 2025. And the match against Zambia will be a good test.”

According to Regragui, the final list of players for the upcoming AFCON is of critical importance, as all players are hoping to be included. “I am fully aware of this responsibility. I cannot afford to make mistakes in my choices,” he emphasized.

On Friday evening, Morocco secured its spot at the World Cup in North America, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with two matchdays to spare, following a resounding 5-0 victory over Niger. The Atlas Lions consolidated their position at the top of the group with 18 points from six wins in six matches, followed by Tanzania (10 pts), Zambia and Niger (6 pts each), and Congo (1 pt).

The 2026 World Cup will thus mark Morocco’s seventh appearance at the final stage of the competition and its third consecutive qualification (1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018, 2022).

The Moroccan national team has secured its qualification for the final stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup following its 5-0 victory over Niger on Friday evening at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, in a match counting for the 7th round of the African qualifiers (Group E).

The goals were scored by Ismael Saibari, who netted a brace (29th and 38th minutes), Ayoub El Kaabi (50th), Hamza Igamane (68th), and Azeddine Ounahi (84th).

With this victory, Morocco, which has booked its ticket to the American World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, two matchdays before the end of the qualifiers, has strengthened its lead at the top of the group with 18 points from six wins in six matches. They are followed by Tanzania (10 points), Zambia and Niger (6 points each), and Congo (1 point).

The 2026 World Cup will mark Morocco’s seventh appearance in the final tournament and its third consecutive qualification (1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018, 2022).