Morocco will look to extend Africa’s hopes at the 2026 FIFA World Cup when the Atlas Lions face the Netherlands in the Round of 32, with their unbeaten run and in-form attacking trio providing confidence ahead of one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
Having emerged from Group C without defeat, Morocco enter the knockout stage on the back of victories over Scotland and Haiti, as well as a draw against five-time champions Brazil.
Their reward is a meeting with a Dutch side that also impressed during the group phase by finishing top of its group.
The fixture represents another major test for a Moroccan team seeking to build on its historic run to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the deepest ever achieved by an African nation.
Much of Morocco’s optimism centres on the performances of Ismael Saibari, who has been one of the standout players of the tournament so far.
The attacking midfielder has scored three goals in three group-stage matches, making him Morocco’s leading attacking threat heading into the knockout rounds.
His partnership with Brahim Diaz has proved particularly effective.
Diaz has already provided two assists for Saibari during the tournament, while captain Achraf Hakimi has also made a significant contribution after registering an assist and scoring in Morocco’s 4-2 victory over Haiti.
The understanding between the three players has become one of Morocco’s biggest strengths and will again be expected to drive the team’s attacking ambitions against the Netherlands.
Beyond its attacking options, Morocco also boasts considerable depth in midfield.
The squad includes Bilal El Khannouss, Neil El Aynaoui, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi, giving the coaching staff several options in the centre of the pitch as they prepare for a technically gifted Dutch side.
However, Morocco will not be at full strength.
The Atlas Lions will be without several players for the knockout encounter.
Romain Saïss is no longer with the squad, while Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli have both been ruled out.
The coaching staff has also left Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofyan Boufal and Ben Seghir out of the squad for the match.
Despite those absences, Morocco will take confidence from a group-stage campaign in which they demonstrated resilience, attacking quality and tactical discipline.
The Netherlands, meanwhile, also enter the contest after an impressive start to the tournament.
The Dutch secured top spot in their group after drawing with Japan before recording victories over Sweden and Tunisia.
Although regarded as one of Europe’s strongest teams, the Netherlands have also been affected by injuries.
Xavi Simons, Matthijs de Ligt, Stefan de Vrij, Jerdy Schouten and Jurriën Timber are all unavailable, reducing the options available to the Dutch coaching staff.
Even so, they still possess considerable quality throughout the squad.
Cody Gakpo, Brian Brobbey and Crysencio Summerville are expected to provide the main attacking threat, while captain Virgil van Dijk remains a commanding presence in defence.
Denzel Dumfries also offers experience and attacking support from wide areas.
For Morocco, the challenge is significant but familiar.
The Atlas Lions have already shown they can compete with some of the world’s strongest teams after taking points from Brazil and progressing unbeaten from a difficult group.
Now, with Saibari enjoying the best goalscoring form of his international career, Diaz continuing to create chances and Hakimi leading by example, Morocco will believe another memorable World Cup night is within reach.
Victory would not only send the Atlas Lions into the Round of 16 but would also represent another landmark achievement for African football as Morocco continue their pursuit of another historic World Cup campaign.
