With the 2026 World Cup drawing closer, the Moroccan national team has begun an intensive phase of preparation ahead of the expanded tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and feature 48 teams for the first time.
Having secured qualification with the authority, Morocco head into the build-up as one of Africa’s standout sides.
Expectations around the Atlas Lions remain high following their historic run to the semi-finals at the Qatar 2022 World Cup and their runners-up finish at the most recent Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.
Those achievements have reinforced the belief that the national team is capable of delivering another landmark performance on the global stage.
On Wednesday, the Moroccan Football Federation confirmed plans for two high-profile friendly matches during the March international window.
The announcement came amid recent speculation surrounding the future of head coach Walid Regragui, and was widely interpreted as a signal of continuity and focus as preparations intensify.
Morocco are set to face Ecuador and Paraguay on March 27 and March 31, 2026, respectively, as part of their build-up to the World Cup finals scheduled for next June.
The first encounter will see the Atlas Lions take on Ecuador at Madrid’s Riyad Air Metropolitano Stadium, the home of Atlético Madrid.
Four days later, Morocco will meet Paraguay at the Bollaert-Delelis Stadium in Lens, France, offering another stern test against South American opposition as the team fine-tunes its tactical and physical readiness.
The national team is also preparing for its seventh appearance at the Club World Cup, where it has been drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Haiti and Scotland. Led by captain Achraf Hakimi, the Atlas Lions are expected to begin their campaign with a challenging opening match against the Brazilian side, adding further intensity to an already demanding period in Morocco’s football calendar.
