Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi declared his side are 'operating on another level' after the Atlas Lions booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 with a commanding 4-2 victory over Haiti in Atlanta on 25 June. The result also marked a historic first — Morocco scoring four goals in a single World Cup match.

Historic Milestone for the Atlas Lions

The Group C victory ensured Morocco's progression to the knockout stage and extended their remarkable World Cup record to five wins across the last two editions of the tournament. It is a run that underlines how far Moroccan football has travelled since their semifinal breakthrough at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

'We are operating on another level,' Ouahbi said after the final whistle, reflecting on the strides his squad has made in a short span.

A Young Squad Carrying Big Ambitions

Morocco's current roster reflects the country's deepening talent pool. Fourteen players in the squad were born in 2000 or later, with only Azzedine Ounahi and Bilal El Khannouss having been part of the historic 2022 semifinal run. Ouahbi, who guided Morocco to the FIFA U-20 World Cup title in 2025, has steadily integrated this generation into the senior setup.

Among the standout newcomers is Crystal Palace defender Chadi Riad, who has started all three group-stage matches in his debut World Cup appearance. 'We're doing some great things, and we're all pulling in the same direction. I'm really happy and proud of the team,' Riad said. He added: 'They did a great job in 2022, and it means we have some fantastic role models. We don't want to fall short of that performance — we want to be like them. We are a young team, but a very ambitious one.'

Bounou's Message: Heart and Continuity

Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, one of the totemic figures from the 2022 campaign, believes the squad continues to evolve even when results do not always reflect it. 'It's something really special and, above all, it's exciting. I think as a team we're improving, although that doesn't always show in the results, because winning depends on so many things. Hopefully, luck will be on our side, and we can go a long way,' Bounou said.

He also stressed the importance of passing on the winning mentality from 2022 to the newer crop: 'I think that in the matches we have played, you can see the players playing with a lot of heart, just as we did in 2022. The team is still the same. We, more experienced players, have to keep passing that on and hope the results go our way.'

What Comes Next

Morocco now advance to the Round of 32, where they will face stiffer opposition. With a blend of seasoned campaigners and an ambitious young core, the Atlas Lions will be aiming to match — or surpass — their extraordinary 2022 semifinal run. All eyes will be on whether Ouahbi's generational project can sustain its momentum deep into the tournament.