Morocco reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, beating Spain and Portugal along the way before losing to France. It was the furthest any African or Arab nation had ever gone at a World Cup. Four years later, they are back in 2026 with the same core of players and a new coach, drawn into Group C alongside Brazil. The question is whether they can do it again, and what the betting odds say about their chances.
Morocco’s 2022 Achievement in Context
To reach the 2022 semi-finals, Morocco had to beat Spain on penalties in the round of 16 after a goalless 120 minutes, then eliminate Portugal 1-0 in the quarter finals with a Youssef En-Nesyri header. They scored 6 goals and conceded 5 in seven matches, with their defensive organisation under Walid Regragui the foundation of everything.
The 2026 squad largely retains that core. Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat, Nayef Aguerd, Noussair Mazraoui and Brahim Diaz are all present. The significant absence is Youssef En-Nesyri, left out of the squad by new coach Mohamed Ouahbi. His replacement as the primary striker is Ayoub El Kaabi of Olympiacos.
Group C Fixtures
| Date | Fixture | Venue |
| June 13 | Brazil vs Morocco | MetLife Stadium |
| June 18 | Morocco vs Scotland | Gillette Stadium |
| June 24 | Morocco vs Haiti | Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
The Challenge: Brazil in the Group
The Brazil draw is Morocco’s biggest challenge. Opening against the five-time world champions on June 13 is a tough assignment, but Group C also includes Scotland and Haiti. If Morocco can take something from Brazil and then win the remaining two matches, they advance. The Morocco vs Scotland match is effectively the decider for second place and is the most interesting group-stage betting fixture for Morocco watchers.
Key Players
| Player | Club | Role |
| Achraf Hakimi | Paris Saint-Germain | Right back; 95 caps; emotional captain; 2x Champions League winner |
| Yassine Bounou | Al-Hilal | Goalkeeper; hero of 2022 penalty shootouts |
| Noussair Mazraoui | Manchester United | A versatile defender; attacking width and delivery |
| Nayef Aguerd | Marseille | Centre back; defensive leader |
| Sofyan Amrabat | Real Betis | Defensive midfielder; engine of the team |
| Brahim Diaz | Real Madrid | Attacking midfielder; creative spark |
| Ayoub El Kaabi | Olympiacos | Striker; primary goal threat after En-Nesyri omission |
Achraf Hakimi: Still the Heartbeat
Hakimi is 27 and at the absolute peak of his powers. He just helped Paris Saint-Germain to their second consecutive Champions League title, registering 28 goals and 44 assists across 207 appearances for PSG. As Morocco’s emotional leader and the best attacking right back in world football, his form in 2026 is Morocco’s single most important factor. When Hakimi plays well, Morocco play well.
Brahim Diaz: The Creative Spark
Born in Malaga to Moroccan parents, Diaz chose Morocco over Spain and has become one of the team’s most important attacking players. At Real Madrid he has shown the ability to produce moments of quality in high-pressure games. His partnership with Hakimi down the right side gives Morocco their most dangerous avenue to goal.
Sofyan Amrabat: The Defensive Engine
Amrabat was one of the revelations of the 2022 tournament, earning a move to Manchester United on the back of his World Cup performances. Now at Real Betis, he remains Morocco’s defensive anchor; the player whose work without the ball allows the more creative players to express themselves.
Can They Reach the Semi-Finals Again?
The honest assessment is: it is harder than 2022 but not impossible. The Brazil group opener is more difficult than Morocco’s 2022 path. The core squad is four years older. And the new coach Ouahbi has had less time with the squad than Regragui had in Qatar.
The arguments for: the squad quality is similar, the defensive structure remains intact, and Morocco have shown they can beat top-quality European opposition. If they advance from the group stage, each knockout match is individual and Morocco’s capacity for big-game performances is proven.
The betting markets currently price Morocco at around 60.00 to win the tournament. To reach the semi-finals, a price around 8.00-12.00 is realistic depending on the knockout draw. That represents interesting value if you believe in Morocco’s ability to reproduce 2022 form.
Betting on Morocco at the 2026 World Cup
Morocco to qualify from Group C (second behind Brazil) is the core bet. Morocco vs Scotland is the key group-stage market; Morocco should be moderate favourites for this fixture. For outright markets, Morocco to reach the quarter-finals is an interesting bet that reflects their realistic ceiling without requiring a semi-final run.
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See our full Betfinal World Cup 2026 review or visit Betfinal’s World Cup promotions page for Morocco match and outright markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far did Morocco go in the 2022 World Cup?
Morocco reached the semi-finals in 2022, beating Spain and Portugal along the way before losing to France. It was the best performance by an African or Arab nation in World Cup history.
What group is Morocco in at the 2026 World Cup?
Morocco are in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.
Who coaches Morocco at the 2026 World Cup?
Mohamed Ouahbi, who replaced Walid Regragui earlier in 2026. Most of the core squad from the 2022 run remains, with Achraf Hakimi as the key figure.
Is Youssef En-Nesyri in the squad?
No. En-Nesyri was left out of the 2026 World Cup squad by coach Ouahbi. Ayoub El Kaabi of Olympiacos is the primary striker in his absence.
What are Morocco’s odds to win the 2026 World Cup?
Morocco are priced at around 60.00 or longer to win the tournament. Their more realistic ceiling is the quarter-finals, and a price to reach that stage is more meaningful for betting purposes.
Last updated: June 2026
