Morocco weigh three contrasting tests as post-2026 World Cup plans take shape

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation is considering friendlies against Tunisia, Colombia and Egypt as it prepares the next international window, with two matches potentially giving Mohamed Ouahbi the chance to begin a new cycle after the 2026 World Cup.

Morocco are in talks with the Tunisian Football Federation about staging a North African derby, possibly in Rabat. Discussions are also under way with Colombia, who could likewise travel to the Moroccan capital.

The proposed fixtures would come after Morocco host Gabon on 25 September at the start of their qualifying campaign. However, none of the three possible friendlies has yet been confirmed, and the negotiations remain subject to change.

A meeting with Tunisia would offer the Atlas Lions a familiar but demanding challenge. Matches between the two Maghreb nations are typically characterised by intensity, limited space and considerable pressure surrounding the result.

For Ouahbi, a Tunisian opponent would provide an opportunity to develop Morocco’s patience and attacking efficiency against a well-organised defensive block. The contest would also test the team’s ability to control a game in a highly competitive derby environment.

Colombia, by contrast, would present a significantly different examination. Their pace, intensity and individual technical quality would require Morocco to operate at a higher tempo and adapt to a style shaped by opposition from another continent.

Morocco reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup and will be expected to continue measuring themselves against leading teams from outside Africa. A home fixture against Colombia in Rabat would offer a prestigious occasion while avoiding a demanding journey early in the European season.

The third option would take Morocco away from home. The Egyptian Football Federation has proposed hosting the Atlas Lions in Cairo, a possibility that would force them to leave the familiar surroundings of Rabat and face a challenging atmosphere on Egyptian soil.

From a sporting perspective, the trip to Cairo could prove the most revealing test of Morocco’s mentality. Unlike the Tunisian and Colombian proposals, it would combine a demanding opponent with the additional pressures associated with playing away from home.

The final decision is expected to reflect Ouahbi’s initial priorities for Morocco’s next phase. The choice of opponents could indicate whether the coach wants to focus on tactical patience, an increased tempo against high-level opposition or resilience in a difficult away environment.

With the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in East Africa less than a year away, every international window is already significant for Morocco. The team must also negotiate African qualifying fixtures in parallel, making the planning of the autumn programme particularly important.

For now, the federation’s discussions continue, with Tunisia, Colombia and Egypt all remaining possible destinations or opponents. The Gabon match on 25 September will come first, but the friendlies that follow could help define the direction of the Atlas Lions under Ouahbi.

Naim Beneddra