Morocco’s remarkable run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup was one of the greatest stories in football history.
The Atlas Lions of Morocco became the first African nation to reach the last four of the tournament, defeating the likes of Belgium, Spain, and Portugal along the way.
🇲🇦 Morocco’s 2022 FIFA World Cup run remains one of the greatest achievements in African football history.
🔥 The Atlas Lions became:
• The first African nation to reach a World Cup semifinal
• The first Arab nation to reach a World Cup semifinal
• The first African team to… pic.twitter.com/txVvs8x7gP— Shaban Mohammed (@ShabanMo9) June 13, 2026
Four years later, expectations are much higher. Morocco are no longer underdogs hoping to surprise the world, they are now a team opponents actively fear.
With a squad packed with talent across every area of the pitch, Morocco have all the tools needed to make another deep run in North America and there is reason to believe that these three players will play key roles.
Achraf Hakimi
If Morocco are to dream of another historic World Cup campaign, Achraf Hakimi will almost certainly be at the heart of it.
The Paris Saint-Germain star has established himself as one of the best full-backs in world football and arrives at the tournament in the form of his life.
Hakimi combines blistering pace with outstanding technical ability, allowing him to contribute at both ends of the pitch.
Defensively, he is capable of shutting down some of the world’s best wingers. Going forward, he effectively becomes an additional attacker, creating overloads and delivering dangerous crosses into the box.
His penalty against Spain in Qatar became an iconic World Cup moment. Another special contribution in 2026 could help Morocco write a new chapter in their football history.
Yassine Bounou
Every great World Cup run needs a goalkeeper capable of producing magic, and Morocco have exactly that in Yassine Bounou.
Bounou. 🇲🇦#FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/1rLwhKhIZc
— FIFA Club Football (@FIFACF) April 5, 2025
Known simply as Bono, the experienced shot-stopper was one of the heroes of Morocco’s 2022 campaign. His penalty shootout heroics against Spain and a series of world-class saves throughout the tournament turned him into a national icon.
Even against elite attacking teams, Bono consistently showed the calmness and confidence needed to keep Morocco competitive.
His importance goes beyond making saves. He brings leadership, organization, and composure to the backline. Morocco’s defensive structure was one of the strongest in Qatar, and Bono played a huge role in ensuring the team remained compact and disciplined under pressure.
If the Atlas Lions find themselves in another tense knockout encounter, Bono could once again become their biggest weapon.
Brahim Diaz
While Hakimi and Bono provide stability and leadership, Brahim Diaz offers something equally important: unpredictability.
The Real Madrid attacker has added another dimension to Morocco’s attack since committing his international future to the North African nation.
Blessed with quick feet, excellent close control, and an eye for goal, Diaz gives Morocco the type of creative player capable of unlocking stubborn defences.
One of Morocco’s biggest strengths is their ability to remain organized against stronger opponents, but deep World Cup runs also require players who can produce moments of individual brilliance. Diaz is exactly that type of footballer.
He can beat defenders in one-on-one situations, create chances from nothing, and score important goals in tight matches.
His experience at Real Madrid has also exposed him to the highest levels of football, helping him develop the mentality required for major tournaments.
Morocco stunned the football world in 2022 by reaching the semi-finals. Replicating that achievement will not be easy, especially now that opponents understand just how dangerous they can be.
However, with these th
Morocco (2022) 🇲🇦✨ pic.twitter.com/UkoQ3QzcW8
— Footy Timeless (@FootyTimeless) June 13, 2026
ree stars leading the way and a talented supporting cast around them, the Atlas Lions have every reason to believe another deep World Cup run is possible.
