Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou is convinced the Atlas Lions have what it takes to once again challenge the world’s elite at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after their historic breakthrough campaign in Qatar four years ago.
The North Africans stunned the football world in 2022 by becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, a remarkable journey that only ended with defeat to France before a loss to Croatia in the third-place playoff.
Now preparing for another appearance on football’s grandest stage, Bounou believes Morocco possess the talent and mentality required to compete for another memorable finish.
“The quality of the players is still there,” goalkeeper Yassine Bounou told FIFA. “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.”
روح رائعة وأجواء مميزة في الحصة التدريبية الثانية لمنتخبنا الوطني 😅
Great vibes and positive energy during our National Team’s second training session 🤩#DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/wgXmNlP2bO
— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) June 6, 2026
Morocco head into the tournament carrying heightened expectations after becoming the first African side to secure qualification for the 2026 finals. Their recent run to the Africa Cup of Nations final has only reinforced the belief that the team remains among the continent’s strongest forces.
Drawn into Group C, the Atlas Lions will battle five-time world champions Brazil, Scotland and Haiti for a place in the knockout rounds.
Despite Morocco’s growing reputation, Bounou remains realistic about the challenge ahead:
“Let’s be honest: there are teams that are bigger favourites than us. 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 veteran shot-stopper believes Morocco now command a level of respect that was absent before their unforgettable campaign in Qatar, giving the squad an added sense of confidence heading into the tournament.
“We feel that we’re still respected, and that must give us confidence,” he insisted. “I think there’s a sense of belief that we perhaps didn’t feel before, as an African team. At the 2026 World Cup, Morocco will make their mark on world football once again.”
أول حصة تدريبية لمنتخبنا الوطني في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية 🇺🇸
First training session for our National Team in the United States #DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/9HuAtn4Z0m
— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) June 5, 2026
Born in Canada but proudly representing Morocco, Bounou is eager to help deliver another historic chapter for both his country and the African continent:
“I’m sure the Moroccan people will be proud of and pleased with the team. Let’s hope we can pull off something really, really big again, just like we did in 2022.”
Having already shattered Africa’s long-standing World Cup quarter-final barrier, Morocco will arrive in the United States, Canada and Mexico determined to prove that their success in Qatar was no one-off achievement, but the continuation of a team capable of competing with the very best on the global stage.
