Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has identified Morocco as one of the leading contenders for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, placing the North African nation alongside established giants such as Brazil, Argentina, Germany, France, and Portugal.
In an exclusive interview with Spanish daily AS, de la Fuente praised Morocco’s rapid ascent in world football.
“They have an excellent team and were world champions at the Under-20 level,” he said. “Their players compete in top leagues and include some outstanding talents.”
The recognition signals a shift in global football dynamics, as previously underestimated nations now challenge traditional powers.
Morocco’s emergence as a serious World Cup contender is reshaping the competitive landscape.
The Atlas Lions made history at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, reaching the semi-finals and becoming the first African team to achieve that feat.
Their performance not only stunned the world but also elevated perceptions of African football on the global stage.
De la Fuente highlighted the unprecedented depth of the 2026 tournament.
“There has never been a World Cup with such a range of strong candidates,” he said. The next edition will take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
He also pointed to potential surprise packages, specifically mentioning Cape Verde, who will be in Spain’s Group H alongside Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
“There are emerging nations that will showcase their progress, like Cape Verde,” de la Fuente noted.
On Spain’s own prospects, de la Fuente expressed confidence. “Yes, we can be world champions,” he said. “We will fight to achieve that, but there are other teams with the same ambition.” Spain enters the tournament as reigning European champions, having secured Euro 2024 and set a new unbeaten streak surpassing the golden generation of 2008–2012.
For the 2026 World Cup, Morocco has been drawn in Group C with Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti. The team is currently competing in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil, following their Arab Cup triumph, with the AFCON final scheduled for January 18. Their performance in Morocco will offer a further measure of their credentials as serious contenders.
The expanded 48-team World Cup format provides an opportunity for emerging nations like Morocco to further demonstrate their growth. Their success has been underpinned by players plying their trade in Europe’s top leagues and by strong youth development through the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé—a national project launched by King Mohammed VI that has become a benchmark for elite player development.
