Morocco can go far at World Cup 2026 – Yassine Bounou

Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has urged caution ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, although he believes the Atlas Lions can go very far at the tournament.

According to him, there are teams considered stronger favourites than the Atlas Lions despite the growing belief that the North African nation can once again make a deep run in the tournament.

The experienced shot stopper acknowledged the quality within Morocco’s squad but stopped short of making bold predictions about how far the team can progress in the competition.

Confidence in Morocco’s Squad

Speaking to FIFA, Bounou stressed that the foundations behind Morocco’s recent success remain firmly in place as the team prepares for another appearance on football’s biggest stage.

“The right mindset will also be there because it’s a World Cup, and every player dreams of playing in it. For some, this might be the last one. For others, it will be their first time,” Bounou said.

The goalkeeper noted that the talent which helped Morocco achieve historic success in recent years is still available to the national team, giving them every reason to approach the tournament with confidence.

Staying Grounded Despite High Expectations

Following Morocco’s remarkable run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, many fans and football analysts believe the Atlas Lions are capable of reaching the latter stages once again.

However, Bounou believes there are other nations carrying greater expectations heading into the competition.

While acknowledging Morocco’s progress since Qatar 2022, he maintained that the team’s focus should be on continuing that upward trajectory rather than becoming distracted by predictions.

“So let’s try to carry that on. After that, there’s no telling how far we might go.”

Morocco made history four years ago by becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals, a feat that elevated the team’s reputation across the football world.

A Tough Group Stage Challenge

The Atlas Lions have been drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti, with their campaign beginning against Brazil on June 13.

Many football observers have tipped Morocco to progress beyond the group stage, although FIFA believes the team faces a significant challenge if it hopes to replicate its historic achievements from Qatar.

Despite the difficult task ahead, Bounou believes Morocco now enjoys a level of respect that was previously absent.

“I think there’s a sense of belief that we perhaps didn’t feel before, as an African team,” he said.

Determined to Leave a Lasting Mark

As he prepares for another World Cup adventure, Bounou says his personal objective is simple.

“I think there’s a sense of belief that we perhaps didn’t feel before, as an African team,” he said.

Bounou said his main goal is to approach the competition with a “real sense of enjoyment, to give it my all, and above all, to have no regrets.”

The goalkeeper ended his interview by offering supporters a message of optimism, expressing confidence that Morocco will once again capture the attention of the football world.

“At the 2026 World Cup, Morocco will make their mark on world football, once again…. I’m sure the Moroccan people will be proud of and pleased with the team,” he said.