Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, has tipped Morocco as one of the strong contenders to win the 2026 World Cup, declaring the Atlas Lions one of the emerging powerhouses of global football.
Infantino made the comments during a video interview on his official Instagram page after responding to a fan question asking whether Morocco could win the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
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“Yes, Morocco can win the next World Cup,” Infantino said.
“Morocco just won the U-20 World Cup, and Morocco qualified for the semi-finals at the last World Cup. It was very special for Morocco and for the fans to witness that.”
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A Historic Shift for African Football
Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar marked the first time an African nation reached the final four of the tournament, fundamentally reshaping perceptions of African football at the highest level.
According to Infantino, that achievement was not a one-off. “Morocco has now developed not just technical skills with the players on the field but also the conviction that it is one of the powerhouses of global football,” he said.
Depth Beyond a Golden Generation
Infantino described the feat as proof of a deep and reliable talent pipeline rather than a single golden generation.
Leadership and Institutional Support
The FIFA president also highlighted governance and leadership as central to Morocco’s football development, praising the work of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and the country’s strong institutional backing.
“The federation is doing great work under the leadership of His Majesty the King of Morocco, a great football fan. Everyone in the country loves the game,” Infantino added. “I would put them amongst the favourites for the World Cup.”
Group C Challenge in 2026
The Atlas Lions have been drawn into Group C at the 2026 World Cup alongside Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, a group analysts have described as competitive but manageable.
With the tournament expanding to 48 teams, factors such as squad depth, tournament management and experience in high-pressure matches are expected to be decisive.
Growing Global Respect
Infantino’s view has been echoed by leading figures in the game, including Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, who recently described Morocco as one of the toughest opponents Brazil could have drawn, citing their organisation and tactical discipline.
