Morocco has punched its ticket to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first African nation to secure a spot in the Round of 32. The Atlas Lions finished second in Group C behind Brazil, collecting 5 points across three matches.
For a country that stunned the world with a semifinal run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, this isn’t exactly a surprise. But it is a confirmation that Morocco’s rise wasn’t a fluke.
How Morocco got here
Morocco opened with a 1-1 draw against Brazil on June 13, 2026. Six days later, on June 19, Morocco ground out a 1-0 win over Scotland. On June 24, Morocco defeated Haiti 4-2, a result that locked in their passage to the knockout rounds. Five points from three matches, second place in the group, and a date with the winner of Group F on June 29 in Monterrey.
Building on Qatar’s semifinal shock
