Morocco eliminated by France in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals: the scenario of The Athletic

In Group C, Morocco should secure their qualification for the knockout stage by finishing second, just behind Brazil. This performance would allow the Atlas Lions, designated as the "new African champions", to continue their North American adventure. The analysis of The Athletic underlines the superiority of the Moroccan squad over opponents such as Scotland and Haiti during this first round.

On Bladi.net: Morocco - Paraguay in Lens: the last rehearsal of the African champions before the 2026 World Cup

In the round of 16, the Moroccan national team would face Sweden. The newspaper predicts a 2-0 victory for the Moroccans, sealed by a penalty from Brahim Diaz. The analysis insists on the individual talent of the team, stating that Achraf Hakimi is "the best right-back in the world, and by far", while also saluting the performances of goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who remains a reliable asset despite his sporting exile.

The journey would continue in the quarter-finals with a confrontation against South Korea. Buoyed by its momentum, Morocco would win again with a score of 2-0. The American media highlights the quality of players like Bilal El Khannouss, a midfield gem whose potential is already attracting the attention of Premier League clubs. This victory would propel the Kingdom among the eight best nations of the tournament.

On Bladi.net: World Cup: Bad patch for Morocco’s rivals

The Moroccan epic would come to an end in the quarter-finals against France. Despite a tournament described as "brave", the Lions would not be able to overcome the tricolor obstacle, Didier Deschamps’ team being described as too "ruthless". This result would nevertheless confirm Morocco’s status as a major power in world football, four years before co-hosting the 2030 edition.