The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially congratulated the Moroccan national team after they secured a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the second consecutive tournament in which they have reached this stage. Morocco defeated co-hosts Canada 3-0 in the Round of 16, with Azzedine Ounahi scoring a brace and Soufiane Rahimi adding another goal.
Morocco Makes History for African Football
This achievement makes Morocco the first African nation ever to reach back-to-back World Cup quarter-finals. In the 2022 edition in Qatar, they became the first African team to reach the semi-finals, and they are now on course to match or surpass that performance. CAF shared a post on their official X page celebrating the Atlas Lions' historic run.
Canada started the match aggressively, but Morocco's quality and experience allowed them to remain patient and exploit the co-hosts' weaknesses on the counterattack. The Atlas Lions will now face the winner of the Round of 16 tie between France and Paraguay in the quarter-finals.
Injury Concern for Morocco
Despite the victory, Morocco suffered a blow as midfielder Ismael Saibari sustained a hamstring injury during the match and will be unavailable for the quarter-final. The team will need to adjust their lineup as they aim to continue their historic campaign.
According to CAF, Morocco's performance demonstrates the growing strength of African football on the global stage. The football body's message highlighted the team's discipline and tactical prowess, which have been key to their success. Morocco's journey has inspired fans across Africa, and they remain a strong contender in the tournament.
