**Eliminated Morocco Turns Attention to Cohosting 2030 World Cup**
Morocco's national football team is shifting its focus to the future following their elimination from the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals. The team, which had previously made history by reaching the semifinals in Qatar, faced a formidable opponent in France, who defeated them 2-0 in Boston, effectively ending Morocco's run in the tournament.
The loss marks a disappointment for Morocco, who had hoped to build on their previous success. In the 2022 World Cup, they became the first African nation to reach the semifinals, but this time they were unable to overcome the French side, which has proven to be a significant hurdle for them in recent tournaments.
Despite the setback, Morocco's performance in the expanded 48-team tournament was notable. They became the first African nation to reach successive quarterfinals, showcasing their growth as a competitive force in international football. Their journey included a memorable victory over the Netherlands and a closely contested match against Brazil in their opening game.
Morocco's head coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, who took over just three months before the tournament, expressed optimism about the future of the team. Ouahbi, who previously led Morocco to victory in the U-20 World Cup, emphasized the potential of the young squad, stating, "We have a young team who want to grow, who will continue to do so. We have talented players who will enable us to grow."
Looking ahead, Morocco is set to cohost the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Spain, a significant opportunity that guarantees their qualification for the tournament. This unique position allows Morocco to focus on developing their team in preparation for the event.
However, the road to 2030 will not be without challenges. Ouahbi will need to navigate two upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in 2027 and 2028, where success is crucial for maintaining his position as head coach. The coaching landscape in African football can be precarious, as demonstrated by the swift dismissal of his predecessor, Walid Regragui, after a disappointing performance in the Cup of Nations final against Senegal earlier this year.
Ouahbi acknowledged the importance of the upcoming tournaments, stating, "We need to first qualify for the Cup of Nations and to win it. We need to take a step back and see to it that we have a team that can make and generate dreams in the future." He highlighted the necessity of building a squad capable of competing at the highest levels.
Morocco's historical performance in the Africa Cup of Nations has been mixed. Despite being one of the top-ranked teams on the continent, their only championship victory came in 1976. Recently, they were awarded the 2025 title after Senegal was stripped of the trophy due to a walk-off incident during the final, although this decision is currently under appeal.
As Morocco prepares for the upcoming Cup of Nations qualifiers in September, they will face Gabon, Lesotho, and Niger in what appears to be a manageable group. However, Ouahbi emphasized the need for tougher competition to adequately prepare for the World Cup. "Of course, the Cup of Nations is not the World Cup. This is a different type of competition, with opponents that have different styles of play," he noted. "So, when you’re not used to playing these types of styles, when you’re not prepared for a World Cup, you can get eliminated very quickly."
With the 2030 World Cup on the horizon, Morocco is poised to leverage its cohosting status to enhance its footballing reputation and develop a team capable of achieving success on the world stage. As they regroup and refocus, the Moroccan football community remains hopeful for a bright future.