After knocking out the Netherlands to book a place in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Morocco is once again proving that its 2022 heroics were far from a one-time fairytale.
But the Atlas Lions’ rise to football’s elite has been decades in the making. Since making their World Cup debut in 1970, Morocco has repeatedly broken barriers for African and Arab football, delivering unforgettable upsets, rewriting history, and climbing to 6th in the FIFA World Rankings, their highest-ever position.
Here’s a look back at every Moroccan World Cup campaign that helped shape one of football’s greatest underdog stories.
2026: Another Historic Knockout Run Continues
Morocco has once again written another memorable chapter in its World Cup story. The Atlas Lions finished as runners-up in Group C with seven points after opening the tournament with a draw against Brazil before securing back-to-back victories over Scotland and Haiti.
Their biggest statement came in the Round of 32, where they edged past the Netherlands after a dramatic penalty shootout, winning 3-2 following a drawn match. The victory booked Morocco another place in the Round of 16, where they are set to face Canada on July 4 as they continue their pursuit of another deep World Cup run.
2022: The Campaign That Changed History
Nothing compares to Morocco’s unforgettable run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The Atlas Lions became the first African and Arab nation ever to reach a World Cup semi-final, ultimately finishing fourth in the tournament; the best finish by any team from Africa or the Arab world.
Drawn into Group F alongside Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, Morocco topped the group for the first time in their history after drawing 0-0 with Croatia before defeating Belgium 2-0 and Canada 2-1.
The knockout rounds only got more magical. Morocco stunned Spain in the Round of 16, eliminating the former champions 3-0 on penalties after a goalless draw. They followed it up with a famous 1-0 victory over Portugal, becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.
Although their historic journey ended with defeats to France in the semi-final and Croatia in the third-place playoff, Morocco had already inspired an entire region and redefined what Arab and African football could achieve on the world stage.
2018: A Long-Awaited Return
After a 20-year absence from the tournament, Morocco returned to the World Cup in Russia in 2018.
Drawn into a difficult Group B alongside Portugal, Spain, and Iran, the Atlas Lions were eliminated in the group stage but left with plenty of positives. Narrow defeats to Iran (1-0) and Portugal (1-0) were followed by a thrilling 2-2 draw against Spain, allowing Morocco to leave the tournament with one point despite several impressive performances against Europe’s heavyweights.
1998: A Brilliant Campaign That Fell Just Short
Morocco came heartbreakingly close to reaching the knockout stages at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
Placed in Group A with Brazil, Norway, and Scotland, Morocco collected four points thanks to a convincing 3-0 victory over Scotland and a 2-2 draw with Norway after opening with a 3-0 defeat to Brazil.
Despite their strong finish, Norway’s dramatic late victory over Brazil on the final matchday denied Morocco a place in the Round of 16, leaving the Atlas Lions to finish third in the group on goal difference.
1994: The Most Challenging Campaign
Morocco’s 1994 World Cup campaign in the United States proved to be one of their most difficult.
Competing in Group F, the Atlas Lions lost all three matches, beginning with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Belgium before falling 2-1 to Saudi Arabia and 2-1 to the Netherlands. Morocco finished bottom of the group without a point, scoring twice but unable to build on the progress they had made eight years earlier.
1986: The Campaign That Made History
Long before Qatar 2022, Morocco made history in Mexico.
At the 1986 FIFA World Cup, the Atlas Lions became the first African and Arab nation ever to advance beyond the group stage, a groundbreaking achievement that stood unmatched for decades.
Morocco opened with consecutive 0-0 draws against Poland and England before producing one of the greatest performances in African football history, defeating Portugal 3-1 to finish top of Group F.
Their dream run ended in the Round of 16 after a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to West Germany, with the winning goal coming in the closing minutes. Even so, Morocco had already changed perceptions of African football forever.
1970: Morocco Announces Itself to the World
Morocco made its World Cup debut at the 1970 tournament in Mexico, becoming the first African nation to qualify directly through Africa’s own qualifying competition after FIFA granted the continent an automatic World Cup place for the first time. The Atlas Lions earned qualification by defeating Tunisia in the final qualifying round after earlier progressing past Senegal in the qualifiers.
Although they were eliminated in the group stage, Morocco made history by earning their first-ever World Cup point with a 1-1 draw against Bulgaria, the first point won by an African nation at a World Cup since the continent received a guaranteed qualification spot. Their campaign also included a 3-0 defeat to Peru and a narrow 2-1 loss to West Germany, laying the foundation for the country’s future World Cup legacy.
From becoming Africa’s first team to reach the Round of 16 in 1986 to inspiring an entire region with their remarkable semi-final run in 2022, Morocco has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible for Arab and African football.
Now, with another round of 16 appearance in 2026 already secured, the Atlas Lions are proving that their rise isn’t just history; it’s an ongoing legacy still being written.
We Said This: Don’t Miss… Before Coaching Egypt: Hossam Hassan’s Greatest Achievements as a Player
