Morocco enters the 2026 World Cup with aspirations of improving upon their historic 2022 semi-final appearance, aiming to become the first African nation to lift the coveted trophy. The Atlas Lions, who stunned the world by eliminating Spain and Portugal in Qatar before a narrow loss to France, possess a strong squad once again. However, their preparations have been marred by significant turmoil, including the departure of their head coach just months before the tournament and lingering fallout from a contentious Africa Cup of Nations final.

The team is still grappling with the repercussions of an incendiary incident during January's AFCON final. The match in Rabat devolved into chaos when Senegal's players walked off the pitch in protest after Morocco was awarded a penalty in stoppage time following a VAR review, with the score tied at 0-0. This decision triggered unrest among Senegal supporters in the stands, leading to the eventual arrest and jailing of eighteen spectators.

Following a prolonged delay, Senegal eventually returned to the field. Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz, representing Morocco, then missed the crucial penalty with an attempted 'panenka' kick. Senegal went on to secure a 1-0 victory in extra time. The controversy, however, did not end with the final whistle. In March, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) controversially stripped Senegal of the title and awarded it to Morocco, citing Senegal's forfeiture by leaving the pitch. Senegal has since appealed this decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and has made accusations against CAF and Morocco, contributing to a lingering toxic atmosphere for the Moroccan squad.

The departure of Walid Regragui, the coach who guided Morocco to their unprecedented 2022 semi-final run, in March adds another layer of uncertainty. While not explicitly stated as the sole reason, the manner of Morocco's narrow defeat in the AFCON final is widely believed to have contributed to his exit. The team now faces the challenge of adapting to a new coaching regime as they prepare for the global stage.

Morocco's journey to the 2026 tournament has been marked by these significant off-field events. Despite the internal challenges, the squad remains a formidable force, featuring experienced players and emerging talents. Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech hold the record for most appearances for the Atlas Lions, having played 10 matches, while Youssef En-Nesyri is their top scorer with 3 goals across World Cup campaigns.

Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz is highlighted as a key player to watch. His presence adds significant attacking threat and technical skill to the Moroccan lineup. His ability to perform under pressure, especially following the penalty miss in the AFCON final, will be closely scrutinized.

The Atlas Lions, currently ranked 8th by FIFA, will need to overcome these disruptions to replicate or surpass their previous success. The team's ability to unite and perform cohesively under new leadership, while navigating the psychological aftermath of the AFCON final, will be critical to their prospects in the upcoming World Cup.

As the FIFA World Cup commences on June 11, all eyes will be on Morocco to see if they can channel their resilience and talent to make another historic stride on the global footballing map, potentially becoming the first African nation to win the ultimate prize.