Story by Mthokozisi Dube
THE Atlas Lions of Morocco are on a mission to prove that their semi-final appearance in Qatar in 2022 was not a fluke as they head for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America.
The men in red and green shocked all and sundry by becoming the first African team to storm into the semi-finals of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Heading into the 2026 sporting fiesta, the Atlas Lions are viewed as history makers, capable of upsetting any team on a good day.
For the 2026 edition, the Atlas Lions will be hunting down one objective of proving to doubting Thomases that their semi-final appearance was not a fluke.
Morocco is pooled in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti.
They have played and won against the South Americans, although it was a friendly in 2023.
Coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, has retained the core of the team that made the semis four years ago, bringing on board seven of the players including captain Achraf Hakimi and seasoned goalkeeper Yassine Bonou.
Blending experience and youthful talent is expected to drive the Atlas Lions’ mission of being counted among the world’s football power houses.
The Atlas Lions begin their campaign against Brazil on June 13, followed by their second match against Scotland on June 19.
They wind their group stage matches with a contest against Haiti on June 24.
