Morocco

Morocco are out, but they can be proud of another strong World Cup, where they managed to go all the way to the quarter-finals.

Even though they started in a really tough group, they had a really good journey.

They drew 1-1 with 5-time champions Brazil, beat Scotland 1-0, then beat Haiti 4-2 to come through the group stage.

Holding Brazil in the very first game told everyone that this Morocco team at the 2026 World Cup would not fear anyone.

Then came a real test in the round of 32 against the Netherlands, who are 9th in the FIFA ranking.

Cody Gakpo put the Dutch ahead in the 72nd minute, but Issa Diop scored with his head on the 91st minute to make it 1-1.

After 1-1 through extra time, it went to a penalty shootout where their keeper Yassine Bounou made a big save.

That save helped Morocco win the shootout 3-2.

Then in the round of 16 they were far stronger and had a better game plan that unlocked their ability to score.

It led them to beat Canada 3-0 after a goalless first half.

Azzedine Ounahi scored twice, in the 50th and 82nd minutes, and Rahimi added a third goal in the 90+3 minute.

Leading them all the way is captain Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain, one of the best right-backs in the world.

But then came the quarter-finals, where they lost 2-0 to France in a rematch of the 2022 semi-final.

But this time France were simply too strong.

Still, reaching the last 8 again shows Morocco are here to stay at the top of world football, with a young team full of talent and a bright future ahead of them.