Morocco take on hosts Italy with Mediterranean Games bronze at stake

Morocco will face host nation Italy in the Mediterranean Games 2026 football bronze-medal match on Sunday, looking to end their campaign with a medal after suffering semi-final defeat by Algeria.

The match will be played at Iacovone Stadium in Taranto, Italy, with kick-off scheduled for 10:00 French time and 09:00 in Morocco. No broadcaster had been announced in France at the time of publication, while Moroccan viewers will be able to watch the game on Arryadia.

Morocco were beaten by Algeria in the semi-finals on Friday after a 1-1 draw was settled by a penalty shoot-out. Khalid Kasbi of Union Touarga scored Morocco’s equaliser, but Ludovic Batelli’s side eventually lost the shoot-out 4-3.

The bronze-medal match gives Morocco the opportunity to recover from that disappointment and finish the tournament on a positive note. They also reached the same stage at the previous edition, where they defeated Turkey 4-2 in July 2022.

Their route to the knockout rounds had appeared uncertain earlier in the competition. Morocco secured their place in the decisive matches with a 5-1 victory over North Macedonia on the final day of the group phase in the middle of the week.

That emphatic result allowed them to move above Turkey and take second place in Group A on goal difference. Before the win, Morocco had collected only one point from their opening two fixtures: a 2-2 draw with Turkey followed by a surprise 1-0 defeat by Tunisia.

Morocco have had eight different scorers during the tournament. The list includes Yahia Iguiz of Raja Casablanca, Abderrahmane Arkid of FUS Rabat, Hamza Raji of Berkane, Rayan Zinebi Talbi of Granada, Mohamed Mounssef of Wydad Casablanca, Karim Essaadi of Raja Casablanca, Abdelghafour Gourari of Berkane and Kasbi.

The meeting with Italy will therefore offer Batelli’s team a final chance to claim bronze and provide a positive conclusion to their Mediterranean Games campaign. Italy, as host nation, will be seeking the same reward in front of home support at Iacovone Stadium.

How to watch Italy v Morocco

– Venue: Iacovone Stadium, Taranto, Italy – Kick-off: 10:00 French time; 09:00 Morocco time – France: No broadcaster announced at the time of publication – Morocco: Arryadia

By Prudence Ahanogbe