World Cup 2026: We have the quality to compete despite tough group – Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou

Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou believes the Atlas Lions have the quality, experience and belief required to make another deep run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite being drawn in a challenging group alongside Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.

Speaking to FIFA ahead of the tournament, the veteran shot-stopper expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to build on the historic success achieved at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Morocco became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

“The quality of the players is still there,” Bounou said. “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.”

Morocco enter the tournament carrying heightened expectations following their remarkable performances four years ago. However, Bounou was quick to acknowledge that several nations remain stronger contenders for the title.

“Let’s be honest: there are teams that are bigger favourites than us,” he admitted. “We, for our part, have been on this path of progress since 2022, so let’s try to carry that on. After that, there’s no telling how far we might go.”

The 35-year-old goalkeeper, who has become one of the key figures in Morocco’s golden generation, believes the team’s achievements in recent years have changed the way African nations are viewed on the global stage.

According to Bounou, Morocco now enjoy a level of respect that was not always afforded to African teams at previous World Cups, a factor he believes can serve as an additional source of confidence.

“We feel that we’re still respected, and that must give us confidence,” he said. “I think there’s a sense of belief that we perhaps didn’t feel before, as an African team.”

Morocco’s performances in Qatar helped reshape perceptions of African football, with the Atlas Lions defeating several traditional powerhouses on their way to the semi-finals before eventually finishing fourth.

The North Africans will now seek to replicate that success at the expanded 2026 World Cup, where they have been placed in Group C alongside five-time world champions Brazil national football team, Scotland national football team and Haiti national football team.

While Brazil are widely regarded as favourites to top the group, Morocco will be confident of challenging for a place in the knockout stages as they look to continue their impressive upward trajectory on the world stage.

With a blend of experienced stars and emerging talent, the Atlas Lions will arrive in North America determined to prove that their achievements in 2022 were no one-off and that they remain among the leading forces in international football.