CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe has expressed gratitude to Morocco after their historic 2026 FIFA World Cup run ended at the quarter-final stage. Morocco became the first African nation to reach the quarter-finals in back-to-back World Cup tournaments, a historic continental milestone.
Morocco's Historic Achievement
Morocco were the last African nation to be eliminated at the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada after the other nine African representatives were eliminated earlier. Their consecutive run to the quarter-final makes them the first African nation to achieve this feat, delivering the best representation of an African side at the tournament.
As noted by FIFA, though Morocco under coach Mohamed Ouahbi fell short of the heights the team achieved under Walid Regragui in 2022, they still gave Africa the best representation on the global stage.
CAF President's Message
Motsepe posted a video on Instagram of himself standing with a group of Moroccan supporters outside the stadium in Boston, accompanied by a brief but pointed message: “Thank you Morocco.” The gesture acknowledged the role of the North African nation in delivering quality representation for the continent.
According to CAF, Motsepe's appreciation message highlights the significance of Morocco's achievement for African football. The Atlas Lions' performance has set a new benchmark for African nations in the World Cup.
FIFA's Recognition
FIFA also sent a message to Morocco after their quarter-final elimination from the 2026 World Cup by France. The world football governing body acknowledged their historic run to the quarter-final in consecutive tournaments, the best by an African nation.
Morocco's back-to-back quarter-final appearances mark a significant milestone for African football, showcasing the continent's growing competitiveness on the world stage. The team's performance has inspired many across Africa and demonstrated the potential of African football.
