Kenya legend Victor Wanyama backs Morocco to challenge for 2026 World Cup crown

Kenyan football legend Victor Wanyama believes Morocco have every chance of becoming the first African nation to win the FIFA World Cup after praising the Atlas Lions’ remarkable consistency and fearless approach following their qualification for the quarter-finals of the 2026 tournament.

Speaking in Nairobi on Monday during the launch of a partnership between the Victor Wanyama Foundation and sports betting company 22Bet to support his football academy, the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder said Morocco have developed into one of the strongest teams in world football and are capable of beating any opponent they face.

The Atlas Lions booked their place in the last eight with an impressive 3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada in Houston, becoming the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals in consecutive tournaments.

Morocco had already broken new ground at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals.

Their latest achievement has reinforced growing belief across the continent that they can once again challenge football’s traditional powers—and perhaps go one step further.

Wanyama is among those convinced that Morocco’s current generation has what it takes to mount a serious challenge for the biggest prize in world football.

“If you look at how consistent they have been and the way they play, they don’t fear anyone and can go toe-to-toe with every nation in the world,” Wanyama said.

“So for me Morocco have all it takes to win the World Cup.”

His endorsement comes at a time when Morocco continue to impress with a blend of tactical discipline, technical quality and growing maturity under pressure.

After surviving an energetic first-half challenge from Canada, the Atlas Lions produced another outstanding second-half display to seal a convincing victory.

Midfielder Azzedine Ounahi emerged as the match winner with the first World Cup goals of his career, scoring twice after the interval before Soufiane Rahimi added a third deep into stoppage time.

The victory also highlighted the remarkable depth now available to Morocco. Even after losing tournament top scorer Ismael Saibari to injury midway through the first half, Mohamed Ouahbi’s side simply found another hero in Ounahi, whose superb brace carried them into another World Cup quarter-final.

Morocco’s progress has become one of African football’s greatest success stories in recent years.

Their historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar transformed perceptions of what African teams could achieve on football’s biggest stage.

Four years later, they have shown that achievement was no one-off, reaching the last eight once again and underlining their place among the world’s elite.

The North Africans now face another enormous test against France in Boston on Thursday, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.

It is a fixture loaded with history and emotion, but Wanyama believes Morocco possess both the quality and mentality needed to overcome the former world champions.

Should they progress, Morocco would move within two victories of lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy—an achievement that would rank among the greatest moments in African sporting history.

For Wanyama, who enjoyed an illustrious career with Celtic, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and the Harambee Stars, Morocco’s success is about more than one nation.

It represents the continued rise of African football on the global stage and offers inspiration to players across the continent that competing—and winning—against the world’s best is no longer an impossible dream.

As Africa’s hopes at the 2026 World Cup increasingly rest on Morocco’s shoulders, the backing of one of East Africa’s greatest footballers reflects the growing belief across the continent that the Atlas Lions are capable of making history once again.

With confidence soaring, a settled squad and momentum firmly behind them, Morocco head into their quarter-final against France on Thursday carrying not only their own ambitions, but also the hopes of an entire continent dreaming of seeing an African nation crowned world champions for the first time.