Morocco shifts focus to 2030 World Cup after France defeat

Morocco’s World Cup ended with a 2-0 quarterfinal defeat to France in Boston, Reuters reported, cutting short another deep run by the Atlas Lions. The loss also turned attention toward 2030, when Morocco is due to co-host the tournament with Spain and Portugal and is already qualified.

Reuters reported that France outplayed Morocco in Thursday’s last-eight match, repeating the outcome of the 2022 World Cup semifinal in Qatar, where the French also stopped Morocco’s run. Morocco had been trying to match or improve on that 2022 campaign, when it became the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal.

The 2026 campaign still marked another step for Morocco, according to Reuters. The team became the first African nation to reach consecutive World Cup quarterfinals, knocked out the Netherlands and pushed Brazil in its opening match at the expanded 48-team tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Morocco entered the tournament with questions around its coaching change, Reuters reported. Mohamed Ouahbi had taken charge of the senior side three months before the finals after working in the junior setup, where he led Morocco to the U-20 World Cup title in 2025.

Ouahbi said after the France defeat that Morocco’s squad still has room to develop. “We have a young team who want to grow, who will continue to do so. We have talented players who will enable us to grow,” he said.

Reuters reported that Morocco is expected to set the 2030 World Cup as a major target, given its role as co-host. Before then, Ouahbi faces two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in 2027 and 2028, competitions that could shape whether he remains in charge.

Ouahbi pointed first to continental goals. “We need to first qualify for the Cup of Nations and to win it. We need to take a step back and to see to it that we have a team that can make and generate dreams in the future. And win titles to ensure we’re on the right track,” he said.

Reuters noted that Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations record has been uneven despite its high standing on the continent. Morocco won the tournament in 1976 and was awarded the 2025 title after Senegal were stripped of the trophy for walking off during the final, a decision Reuters said is under appeal and could be overturned.

Morocco’s next matches are scheduled for September, when Africa Cup of Nations qualifying begins, according to Reuters. The team has been grouped with Gabon, Lesotho and Niger.

Ouahbi said the continental tournament poses a different test from the World Cup. “Of course, the Cup of Nations is not the World Cup. This is a different type of competition, with opponents that have different styles of play,” he said. “So, when you’re not used to playing these types of styles, when you’re not prepared for a World Cup, you can get eliminated very quickly.”

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.