Morocco’s World Cup 2026 group and fixtures put the Atlas Lions in one of the most talked-about groups of the entire tournament. Drawn into Group C alongside five-time world champions Brazil, CONCACAF nation Haiti, and Scotland — who are back at a World Cup for the first time since 1998 Morocco go into North America with serious ambitions. After that unforgettable semi-final run in Qatar 2022, Africa’s best team wants to prove it was no fluke. Here is everything you need to know.
Which Group Are Morocco In at the 2026 World Cup?
Morocco are in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The draw took place on 5 December 2024 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and it threw Morocco straight into the deep end.
Group C consists of:
- Brazil — five-time world champions and one of the tournament favourites
- Morocco — Africa’s top team and 2022 semi-finalists
- Scotland — back at the World Cup for the first time since France 1998
- Haiti — CONCACAF qualifiers making their presence felt on the global stage
Brazil and Morocco are the two heavyweights here. Their head-to-head clash is arguably the most mouth-watering group-stage fixture involving an African nation in this entire tournament. Scotland are dangerous but manageable. Haiti are the opponents Morocco absolutely must not slip up against.
Morocco’s Group C Fixtures — Dates, Times and Venues
All three of Morocco’s group-stage games are played in the United States. Here is the full schedule:
| Date | Match | Venue | Kick-off (WAT / Lagos Time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 13 June 2026 | Brazil vs Morocco | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey | 23:00 WAT |
| Friday, 19 June 2026 | Scotland vs Morocco | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts (Boston) | 23:00 WAT |
| Wednesday, 24 June 2026 | Morocco vs Haiti | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia | 23:00 WAT |
Times shown in West Africa Time (WAT), which is UTC+1. Same as Lagos, Abuja, Accra.
The opening game against Brazil at MetLife Stadium the same venue that will host the World Cup Final on 19 July sets the tone immediately. Morocco face the biggest test first. Win or draw that, and the path to the Round of 32 is wide open.
How Does the 2026 World Cup Format Work?
This is the first World Cup with 48 teams, split into 12 groups of four. Every team plays three group-stage games. The top two in each group advance to the knockout stage. But here is the key difference from previous tournaments — the eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also advance.
That means 32 teams reach the knockout rounds, not 16. For Morocco, this is significant. Even if they finish third in Group C, they could still progress — provided their points total is good enough compared to third-placed teams in other groups. Realistically though, this Morocco squad is good enough to finish in the top two. Anything else would be a major disappointment.
Morocco’s Road to the 2026 World Cup
Morocco qualified for the 2026 World Cup by topping their CAF qualifying group (Group E) in the African qualifying campaign. It was a dominant display. The Atlas Lions were too strong for the competition in their group, and they secured their spot in North America with games to spare.
Their qualifying form came on the back of their historic 2022 World Cup campaign. In Qatar, Morocco beat Belgium, Spain and Portugal on their way to becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. They eventually finished fourth, losing to France in the last four and to Croatia in the third-place play-off.
Between Qatar 2022 and this tournament, Morocco also won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations — though in controversial circumstances after Senegal’s protests in the final led to Morocco being awarded the title. Whatever the politics, they are AFCON champions heading into 2026. The form and the pedigree are there.
Morocco’s Squad for World Cup 2026 — Key Players to Watch
Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi named Morocco’s 26-man squad on 26 May 2026. This is a significant transition moment. Walid Regragui — the architect of the 2022 semi-final miracle — stepped down in March 2026 after reported friction with the football federation. Ouahbi, who guided Morocco’s Under-20 side to the 2025 Youth World Cup title, takes over at senior level for the first time at a major tournament.
One major talking point: the exclusion of striker Youssef En-Nesyri, one of the heroes of Qatar 2022. Ouahbi has gone with a more technical, attack-minded squad.
Goalkeepers
Yassine Bounou (Bono) remains the undisputed number one. One of the best goalkeepers in the world when at his peak, Bounou was outstanding in Qatar. His experience at the highest level is invaluable.
Defence
The Atlas Lions’ defensive line is still one of the most organised and difficult to break down in world football. Achraf Hakimi (PSG) is the standout — arguably the best right-back in the world right now, brilliant going forward and disciplined at the back. Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United) provides balance on the left. Nayef Aguerd and Chadi Riad are the central defensive partnership, both comfortable in possession.
Midfield
Sofyan Amrabat is the engine room — the defensive midfielder who protects the back line and sets the tempo. Around him, Morocco have real quality: Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss, and Ismael Saibari all provide creativity and energy in the middle. This is a technically gifted midfield group.
Attack
Brahim Díaz is the most recognisable name up front — the Real Madrid attacker is Morocco’s creative spark in the final third. Ayoub El Kaabi is the first-choice striker after an impressive run at AFCON 2025 and a prolific season for Olympiakos. Abdesamad Ezzalzouli and Soufiane Rahimi provide width and directness.
Can Morocco Qualify from Group C?
Yes — and they should. Let’s break it down match by match.
Brazil (13 June): The opening game is the hardest. Brazil are genuine title contenders. But Morocco’s defensive solidity and ability to hit on the counter means this is not a game they simply cannot win. A point from this fixture would be a huge result. A win would be sensational — and not impossible given what this team did in Qatar.
Scotland (19 June): Scotland have quality players but are not in Morocco’s league. The Atlas Lions should win this. Scotland will be organized and motivated — they haven’t been at a World Cup since 1998 and will fight hard — but Morocco’s individual quality should be the difference.
Haiti (24 June): This is the game Morocco must win. No excuses. Haiti are the weakest team in the group, and three points here should be straightforward. Dropping points against Haiti would be the kind of result that defines a tournament badly.
A realistic target is six points minimum — beat Scotland and Haiti, and whatever happens against Brazil, Morocco will be through. Five points (a draw against Brazil plus wins against Scotland and Haiti) would almost certainly secure first place in the group.
Morocco’s World Cup History — A Team on the Rise
Morocco have now attended seven World Cups. Their record before 2022 was solid but unspectacular — they reached the Round of 16 in 1986 in Mexico, becoming the first African nation to advance from the group stage.
Then came Qatar 2022. That campaign changed everything. Wins over Belgium (2-0), Spain (on penalties) and Portugal (1-0) set the football world alight. Their semi-final against France — a narrow 2-0 defeat — felt like a moment that belonged in history books. It was the moment African football was no longer just “plucky.” Morocco were genuinely elite.
The 2026 challenge is to prove it wasn’t a one-off. This squad, even under a new coach, has the talent. The question is whether the team’s identity and organisation can survive the managerial transition.
What African Fans Should Know About Morocco’s 2026 Campaign
For Nigerian fans and African football lovers across the continent, Morocco carry the flag as Africa’s most dangerous representative at this World Cup. While Super Eagles fans will be watching Nigeria’s own campaign (Nigeria are in Group I alongside France, Senegal and Iraq), Morocco’s Group C journey is must-watch television.
The Brazil vs Morocco clash on 13 June is one of the biggest African fixtures in World Cup history. It is a true meeting of footballing giants — one a five-time world champion, the other Africa’s greatest ever World Cup performer. Set your alarm.
Morocco playing under new manager Ouahbi adds a layer of unpredictability. But the squad’s talent, particularly in defence and midfield, gives every reason to believe they can go deep in this tournament again. The Atlas Lions are not here just to participate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What group are Morocco in at the 2026 World Cup?
Morocco are in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside Brazil, Scotland and Haiti. The group stage runs from 13 to 24 June 2026, with all of Morocco’s games taking place in the United States.
When do Morocco play their first game at World Cup 2026?
Morocco’s first game at the 2026 World Cup is against Brazil on Saturday, 13 June 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kick-off is at 23:00 West Africa Time (WAT). It is one of the most anticipated group-stage fixtures of the entire tournament.
Who is Morocco’s manager at the 2026 World Cup?
Morocco’s head coach at the 2026 World Cup is Mohamed Ouahbi, who took over from Walid Regragui in March 2026. Ouahbi previously led Morocco’s Under-20 team to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup title before stepping up to the senior role ahead of the tournament in North America.
Who are Morocco’s key players at World Cup 2026?
Morocco’s most important players at the 2026 World Cup include right-back and captain Achraf Hakimi (PSG), goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, and attackers Brahim Díaz and Ayoub El Kaabi. Hakimi in particular is central to everything Morocco do, both defensively and in attack.
Samuel Jegede is a passionate football writer and sports enthusiast dedicated to covering African football, World Cup 2026 developments, player profiles, match analysis, and breaking news for fans across Africa and beyond.