France manager Didier Deschamps has identified Morocco as one of the leading teams capable of challenging for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting the growing status of the North African side on the international stage.
Speaking at a press conference, Deschamps grouped Morocco alongside some of the sport’s most established football nations, a sign of how far the Atlas Lions’ reputation has risen in recent years.
The France coach was discussing expectations surrounding the French national team when he listed the countries he believes could be considered favourites for the next World Cup tournament, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“There’s no problem in being part of the favourite teams,” Deschamps said.
“But are we more of a favourite than Spain, Portugal, Germany, England, Argentina, Brazil, Morocco? You’ll have your own opinion. But I know there are expectations.”
The remarks place Morocco among the traditional powers of international football, reflecting the respect the team has earned following its recent achievements on the global stage.
Morocco’s standing in world football rose sharply after its historic campaign at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The Atlas Lions became the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of the competition, producing one of the most memorable runs in World Cup history.
Their performances in Qatar drew worldwide attention after they overcame several high-profile opponents to advance deep into the tournament. The achievement was widely celebrated across Africa and the Arab world, with many observers viewing it as a landmark moment for football in both regions.
Deschamps’ latest comments suggest Morocco is no longer regarded merely as a surprise package capable of upsetting stronger teams. Instead, the side is increasingly being viewed as one of the countries with the quality and experience needed to compete at the latter stages of the next World Cup.
The recognition from the France coach also underlines the shift in international perceptions of Morocco since Qatar 2022. Once considered outsiders on football’s biggest stage, the Atlas Lions are now being discussed in the same bracket as nations with long-established World Cup pedigrees.
The 2026 tournament will be the first World Cup to be staged across three countries, with matches taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. As preparations continue, expectations surrounding Morocco are likely to grow further following Deschamps’ endorsement.
For Morocco, the comments represent another indication that the team’s achievements in Qatar were not viewed as a one-off success, but as evidence of a side capable of consistently competing among football’s elite nations.
With international attention increasingly focused on the Atlas Lions, Morocco now enters the build-up to the 2026 World Cup carrying both heightened expectations and growing belief that it can once again make a significant impact on the global stage.
