Morocco joined a group that many described as losers in the 2022 World Cup.
The first rival was Croatia, runner-up in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Then Belgium, with its ‘golden generation’, was a popular choice to leave the group. Finally, a hungry Canadian team that finished at the top of the CONCACAF World Rankings made its first World Cup appearance in 36 years.
That tournament 36 years ago was special. Morocco finished as the winner of a group with three European teams: England, Poland and Portugal. Additionally, Morocco became the first African team to top a World Cup group. The Atlas Lions fell to a Lothar Matthäus goal in the 88th minute to exit the World Cup.
Fast forward to the present, and Morocco was the best performing team in CAF’s 2022 World Cup qualification. They won all six games played in the second stage. In doing so, Morocco scored 20 and conceded just one.
managerial change
Then, just three months before the tournament, the team experienced a major turning point. Morocco fired head coach Vahid Halilhodzic. The Bosnian was known for his cold relations with various players. Hakim Ziyech did not appear at AFCON 2022. This angered both the fans and the player as Ziyech withdrew from international competition.
Walid Regragui stepped in as Halilhodzic’s replacement. Regragui helped Wydad AC win the Botola Pro, the highest category in Morocco. Furthermore, he led Wydad AC to their third CAF Champions League title. He is only the second Moroccan coach to win the African Champions League.
The return of Chelsea striker Hakim Ziyech from retirement has helped reduce tensions in the team.
Morocco lights up the 2022 World Cup
Morocco’s main goal in the 2022 World Cup was to improve on the last tournament in 2018. In a group of Spain, Portugal and Iran, Morocco finished last in the group. However, he forced a draw away to Spain and only lost 1-0 to Portugal through a Cristiano Ronaldo goal.
Morocco’s campaign began with a goalless draw against Croatia. Before the game, the majority ruled out Morocco. However, the actual game leaned towards the African side. The aggressive pressing created eight attempts on goal to Croatia’s six.
On the second day, Morocco gave one of the biggest surprises in the history of the World Cup. They crushed European giants Belgium, 2-0. For the first time since 1998, Morocco won a World Cup match. However, this was far more impressive than a 3-0 win over Scotland in 1998.
With a 2-1 victory over Canada in the last group game, Morocco clinched first place in Group F. For the first time in 36 years, Morocco reached the round of 16 of the World Cup.