World Cup 2026: Steve Clarke wary of Morocco test as Scotland prepare for clash

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has described Morocco as one of the strongest teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, admitting his side faces a daunting challenge in their crucial Group C encounter.

The Scots head into the match with confidence after securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Haiti in their opening fixture, a result that placed them ahead of Morocco in the group standings.

However, Clarke believes the North African side represents an even greater threat than the team that made history by reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Speaking ahead of the clash, the Scotland manager highlighted the quality and growth of the Moroccan squad, warning that his players will need to produce one of their best performances to secure a positive result.

“I think the current Morocco squad is slightly better than the one that reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup,” Clarke said.

“That gives me a clear idea of the sheer scale of the challenge that lies ahead of us.”

Morocco earned widespread admiration in Qatar four years ago when they became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. Their remarkable run included victories over Belgium, Spain and Portugal before eventually finishing fourth in the tournament.

Since then, the Atlas Lions have continued to strengthen their squad, blending experienced internationals with emerging talents who have excelled in some of Europe’s top leagues.

Their quality was evident in their opening Group C fixture at the ongoing World Cup, where they held tournament favourites Brazil to a 1-1 draw.

That result demonstrated Morocco’s ability to compete with the world’s elite and has made Thursday’s showdown a pivotal contest in the race for qualification to the knockout stages.

Scotland currently hold a slight advantage in the group after collecting three points against Haiti, while Morocco sit on one point following their draw with Brazil.

A victory for Clarke’s side would significantly boost their chances of progressing, while Morocco will be desperate to secure their first win of the tournament.

Despite Scotland’s positive start, Clarke is under no illusions about the magnitude of the task facing his team. The veteran manager believes Morocco’s current generation may be even stronger than the side that captivated global audiences in Qatar, a view that reflects the respect the African nation has earned on the international stage.

The Group C encounter is expected to be one of the standout fixtures of the round, with Scotland aiming to edge closer to the knockout stages and Morocco seeking to build on their impressive performance against Brazil.

With qualification hopes potentially hanging in the balance, both nations know the outcome could have a major impact on the complexion of Group C heading into the final round of matches.