Morocco head to World Cup with high hopes after turbulent build-up

PARIS: Morocco will arrive at the World Cup carrying heightened expectations after their landmark run to the semi-finals in 2022, but they do so after a difficult spell marked by coaching change and controversy around the Africa Cup of Nations final.

The Atlas Lions became the first African and Arab side to reach the last four at a World Cup in Qatar, where they beat Spain on penalties in the round of 16 and then eliminated Portugal in the quarter-finals. Their campaign ended with a loss to France in the semi-final, followed by defeat to Croatia in the third-place match. Before that tournament, Morocco had reached the knockout stage only once, when they advanced to the last 16 at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

This time, Morocco head into the tournament with a different profile. They are ranked eighth in the world, placed between the Netherlands and Belgium and above Germany. At home, however, there is also pressure from supporters who want a more attacking approach than the defence-first style that brought success in 2022.

Coaching change after AFCON drama

Walid Regragui, who oversaw Morocco's run in Qatar, left his post in March, six weeks after Morocco lost a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final to Senegal. Playing at home, Morocco had been seen as favourites to win the title, but the final in Rabat turned on a late penalty that Brahim Diaz failed to convert deep into injury time.

Senegal's players reacted angrily to the award of the penalty and many left the pitch. They later returned, Diaz saw his effort saved, and Morocco went on to lose 1-0 after extra time. Regragui, who had come under criticism from the public and media, was replaced by Mohamed Ouahbi.

Ouahbi, who was born and raised in Brussels, moved up to the senior role after guiding Morocco to the Under-20 World Cup title last October. Days after his appointment, the Confederation of African Football stripped Senegal of the AFCON title over the walk-off protest and awarded it to Morocco. Senegal are contesting that decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, leaving the dispute hanging over both teams before the World Cup.

Squad depth and growing ambition

Morocco will be led by Paris Saint-Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi, the reigning African player of the year, as they prepare to open their campaign against Brazil before further group-stage matches against Scotland and Haiti. Football pundit Oussama Berraoui said the side had the quality to aim high.

"The Atlas Lions have a real and serious chance at this World Cup. The current team is more experienced and more talented than four years ago," insists Oussama Berraoui, a Moroccan football pundit.

Morocco's rise has been built on two main foundations: a productive youth system centred on the Mohammed VI academy near Rabat, and the recruitment of players born in Europe to Moroccan families. Hakimi and Diaz are among those players, along with Noussair Mazraoui, Bilal El Khannouss and Neil El Aynaoui. The latest addition is Lille midfielder and France Under-21 captain Ayoub Bouaddi, who has opted to represent Morocco at senior level.

Ouahbi has also spoken confidently about the team's prospects.

In an interview with Moroccan channel Arryadia, he said:

"When you look at the image Morocco has around the world and the players we have, we can dream,"

"This is football so we could also go out in the first round. But believe me, I think we can go all the way and win a World Cup."

Morocco are also looking beyond this tournament to 2030, when they will co-host the World Cup with Spain and Portugal. The country wants to stage the final in a new 115,000-seat stadium being built near Casablanca, underlining the scale of its ambitions on and off the pitch.