Atlas Lions have what it takes to win World Cup as the old order continues to die away
Can Morocco win the World Cup? Do you think Morocco will win the World Cup? Now stand back and watch Morocco win this thing.
There is no better time than now for a new side, an African side, to win it. It is heralded by the old order dying. Germany, the Netherlands, and even Brazil are no longer the teams they used to be. France are still a very good side and a strong shout to win this tournament, which is why a box-office quarter-final is on the horizon.
Morocco were not at their best here in their round-of-16 game against Canada, but the Atlas Lions are looking every bit like their ranking of sixth-best team in the world. It was a poor first-half display from them in Houston and they had to weather sustained pressure from the co-hosts, but they took control in the second half, Azzedine Ounahi scoring twice before Soufiane Rahimi added a late third to put the gloss on the victory and send the Africans into the quarter-finals.
The Atlas Lions are now unbeaten in 33 matches, if the Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal is counted as a walkover in their favour, as concluded by a disciplinary ruling. They reached the World Cup semi-finals four years ago, finishing fourth, and they are well on course to match that achievement this year.
But there is the small matter of a quarter-final game against either Paraguay or France. France are the favourites to go through in that tie and face Morocco, but you would not easily mark Les Bleus out as clear favourites in a match against the Atlas Lions.
فرحة لاعبي منتخبنا الوطني مع الجمهور بعد التأهل إلى ربع نهائي كأس العالم 🤩
Celebrating with our fans after reaching the quarter-finals! 🦁#DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Teg7Q7BVO7
— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) July 4, 2026
Canada, appearing in the round of 16 in a World Cup for the first time, made the brighter start against Morocco and should have capitalised on their early dominance. Jonathan David forced Yassine Bounou into an excellent save with an angled effort before the Morocco goalkeeper somehow stuck out a left leg to deny Tani Oluwaseyi after the striker burst into the penalty area.
Morocco struggled to establish any rhythm during the opening half and suffered an early setback when influential attacker Ismael Saibari limped off injured midway through the period. Rahimi replaced the recent Bayern Munich signing, but chances remained scarce for the Atlas Lions, whose only notable first-half attempt came from the substitute’s ambitious strike from distance that was easily collected by Maxime Crepeau.
Having spent much of the opening 45 minutes on the back foot, Morocco emerged from the tunnel with greater purpose and struck five minutes into the second half through a set-piece.
Captain Achraf Hakimi appeared poised for a cross from the freekick on the right but cleverly rolled towards the edge of the penalty area, where Ounahi was unmarked and fired low beyond Crepeau into the bottom corner.
Canada had a few good moments afterwards as they tried to hit back. David curled a freekick narrowly over before Bounou again demonstrated his quality by pushing away Tajon Buchanan’s dipping effort from long range. But the co-hosts’ hopes gradually faded as Morocco became increasingly dangerous on the counterattack.
Their decisive second arrived eight minutes from time. A rapid break carved open the Canadian defence and Brahim Diaz aimed at goal, but being closed down he poked a pass into Ounahi’s path, and the latter fired again past Crepeau.
With two goals and eight minutes left in normal time it was surely over then. Rahimi almost added a third moments later when his looping header could only kiss the crossbar, but he was determined to show that he could replace Saibari and with another swift counterattack he soon swept home to complete the rout. The hungry lions match on.
