French Newspaper: Morocco Emerges as a Global Football Power

French newspaper "Ouest-France" highlighted Morocco's impressive journey in the 2026 World Cup, stating that the "Atlas Lions" are no longer just a surprise on the global football stage, but have become one of the top teams capable of competing with the giants of the game.

In a report titled "Morocco Establishes Itself Among the World's Elite Teams, and This Time It's No Surprise," the paper noted that Morocco's qualification for the Round of 16, following their elimination of the Netherlands, reflects the significant development of Moroccan football over the years, emphasizing that the "Atlas Lions" have become a global reference in football.

The newspaper reviewed the results achieved by the Moroccan team against top teams in the last two World Cup editions, explaining that they faced five teams ranked in the top ten of the FIFA rankings, achieving remarkable results by defeating Belgium (2-0), eliminating Spain on penalties after a 0-0 draw, and beating Portugal (1-0) in the Qatar 2022 World Cup. They also drew with Brazil (1-1) and knocked out the Netherlands on penalties (3-2) after a 1-1 draw in the current edition, with the Netherlands being described as one of the most entertaining teams in the group stage.

The paper noted that the victory over the Netherlands was not just a positive result, but came after a clear performance advantage, pointing out that the Moroccan team had 70% ball possession throughout the match, which increased to 83% during extra time, indicating the significant difference between Morocco in the 2026 edition and the team that amazed the world in the 2022 World Cup.

The report added that Morocco did not achieve this development by chance, but thanks to continuous efforts in player development, successfully attracting dual nationals, and winning the U-20 World Cup title in October 2025, factors that have bolstered Moroccan football's ambitions on the international stage.

"Ouest-France" confirmed that the Moroccan team has moved beyond merely reacting and has become a team that imposes its style and raises concerns among its opponents, especially as it currently ranks sixth in the FIFA world rankings.

The newspaper predicted that the "Atlas Lions" will enter their next match against Canada, scheduled for Saturday, as the favorites to win, reflecting the stature that the Moroccan team has achieved on the global stage.

In conclusion, the newspaper emphasized that Morocco, preparing to co-host the 2030 World Cup, aspires to embrace its first global title, considering that the dream remains alive in the 2026 edition, given the levels the team is showcasing during the tournament.