Former Gabon head coach Alain Giresse says Morocco failed to produce the attacking football that had defined their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, expressing surprise at the Atlas Lions‘ display in their quarter-final defeat to France.
Morocco’s hopes of extending another memorable World Cup run ended after a 2-0 loss to Les Bleus, a result that has continued to spark debate about the North Africans’ performance against one of the tournament’s favourites.
Having impressed throughout the competition with an adventurous style of play, the Atlas Lions struggled to reproduce that form against France, prompting criticism from some observers despite another strong World Cup campaign.
Speaking to Afrik Foot, Giresse admitted he had expected a more adventurous display from the Moroccan side, although he also acknowledged the quality of the opposition.
“In a certain sense, yes, because since the start of the competition, Morocco has been playing attractive football, attacking, and looking quite appealing. I did expect the Atlas Lions to be a bit more daring. But I can also understand their caution.”
The former Gabon coach suggested Morocco’s tactical approach reflected the threat posed by a French team boasting one of the tournament’s strongest attacking line-ups.
Rather than taking the initiative, the Atlas Lions appeared more restrained than they had been in previous matches, a contrast that became one of the main talking points following their elimination.
For Giresse, that caution was understandable given the calibre of the opposition.
“When you’re facing a team as strong as France, with such formidable attackers, it’s not illogical to be cautious. In 2022, in the second half, Morocco took control against Les Bleus. That wasn’t the case this time. The Lions had to open themselves up after Mbappé’s goal, and then Dembélé punished them with a second goal.”
His comments compare Morocco’s latest meeting with France to their encounter at the 2022 World Cup, when the Atlas Lions mounted a stronger response after falling behind.
This time, however, Morocco were unable to exert the same level of control after conceding the opening goal.
Instead, France capitalised as the game became more open, scoring a second goal to secure their place in the semi-finals.
The defeat ended Morocco’s bid to improve on the historic achievements they recorded in Qatar four years earlier, when they became the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semi-final.
Although the Atlas Lions fell short of repeating that feat in 2026, their run to the last eight reinforced their growing status among Africa’s leading football nations.
Their performances throughout the tournament once again highlighted the progress made by Moroccan football on the global stage.
Nevertheless, the quarter-final defeat has generated widespread discussion about whether the team abandoned the positive style that had carried them through the earlier rounds.
