The Morocco national football team () represents Morocco in men's international football. It is controlled by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), the governing body for football in Morocco. It has been affiliated with FIFA since 1960, with CAF since 1959, and with UNAF since 2005. The team is known as the Atlas Lions. They play home matches at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat and train at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé.
Morocco is widely considered the greatest ever African national football team. They have won five continental titles, including the 1976 African Cup of Nations and, most recently, the 2025 African Cup of Nations. They have also won the African Nations Championship in 2018, 2020, and 2024. Morocco has qualified for the FIFA World Cup on seven occasions. In 1986, they made history as the first African team to top a World Cup group and advance to the knockout stage, where they were eliminated 1âÂÂ0 by eventual runner-up West Germany. Thirty-six years later, at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Morocco topped a group that included Croatia, Canada and Belgium. They then went on to defeat Spain and Portugal, becoming the first African and first Arab team to reach a World Cup semi-final. They were also the third World Cup semi-finalist from outside Europe or South America. In 2025, Morocco set a world record for the longest winning streak in international football, achieving 19 consecutive victories across all competitions.
The Atlas Lions were ranked 10th in the FIFA World Rankings in April 1998. They were AfricaâÂÂs highest-ranked national team for three consecutive years, from 1997 to 1999, and have again occupied that position since December 2022. , Morocco is ranked 8th in the world, the highest ranking by an African team since Nigeria in 1994.
Morocco is set to become the second African nation, the second MENA nation, and the first North African nation to host the FIFA World Cup, after being chosen as a co-host for the 2030 edition alongside Portugal and Spain.
The Moroccan national team was founded in 1928 and played its first game on 22 December of that year against France's B team, losing 2âÂÂ1. This team, formed by the best footballers of the LMFA, or the Moroccan Football League (settlers or natives), was active in friendly matches against other North African teams such as Algeria and Tunisia. These associations of settler clubs and local footballers, in addition to having their own championship, clashed with each other in a tournament that Morocco won several times, such as in 1948âÂÂ1949. The LMFA also faced other club teams such as NK Lokomotiva Zagreb in January 1950, as well as France A and France B.
On 9 September 1954, an earthquake struck the Algerian region of Orléansville (now Chlef), destroying the city and killing 1,400 people. On 7 October 1954, the French Football Association and the Maghreb inhabitants organized a charity match to raise funds for the families of the victims of the earthquake. In the match, held at the Parc de Princes in Paris, a team made up of Moroccans, Algerians and Tunisians played against France. Led by star Larbi Benbarek, the Maghreb selection managed to win 3âÂÂ2, a month before the Toussaint Rouge attacks by the Algerian National Liberation Front which marked the beginning of the Algerian War. In 1955, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation was established, at the end of the French protectorate of Morocco, which had lasted since 1912.
On 19 October 1957, at the second edition of the Arab Games in Lebanon, Morocco made its debut as an independent country against Iraq, at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, and drew 3âÂÂ3. At the tournament, Morocco recorded their first-ever win, defeating Libya 5âÂÂ1, then beat Tunisia 3âÂÂ1 to reach the semi-finals. After a 1âÂÂ1 draw with Syria, lots were drawn to decide who would progress to the final, and Syria were selected at Morocco's expense. Morocco withdrew from the third-place play-off against Lebanon and finished fourth overall.
Between 1957 and 1958, Morocco held numerous friendly matches against the National Liberation Front team, the representative of Algeria before its independence in 1958. In 1959, the team took part for the first time in an international competition, the qualifying rounds of the 1960 Rome Olympics. Drawn into a group with Tunisia and Malta, Morocco finished second on goal difference and failed to progress. That same year, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation joined FIFA.
In 1960, Morocco competed in World Cup qualification for the first time. Drawn against Tunisia in the first round, Morocco won the first leg 2âÂÂ1, while Tunisia won the second leg by the same score. A play-off held in Palermo, Italy finished in a draw, so a coin toss was used to determine who progressed. Morocco won the toss, and beat Ghana 1âÂÂ0 on aggregate to reach the inter-continental play-offs. Drawn against Spain, Morocco lost 4âÂÂ2 on aggregate and thus failed to qualify.
The following year, Morocco held the Pan-Arab Games and won the football tournament, winning all five of their matches. Their third match, against Saudi Arabia, resulted in Morocco's biggest-ever victory, winning 13âÂÂ1. They also claimed their first two wins against a European team, beating East Germany 2âÂÂ1 and 2âÂÂ0.
In 1963, the Moroccan team came close to qualifying for the African Cup of Nations; in the decisive play-off against Tunisia, they were defeated 4âÂÂ1 in Tunis and won 4âÂÂ2 at home, therefore being eliminated. At the 1963 Mediterranean Games in Naples, they finished fourth after a 2âÂÂ1 defeat in the final for third place against Spain's reserve team.
Morocco participated in the final phase of an international competition for the first time at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Having qualified under the leadership of manager Mohamed Massoun, the Moroccans were included in a group of three teams due to the withdrawal of North Korea. Morocco lost both their matches, against Hungary (6âÂÂ0, the team's worst-ever defeat) and Yugoslavia (3âÂÂ1, despite taking the lead in the second minute via Ali Bouachra).
In 1966, the Moroccan Football Association joined the Confederation of African Football, and the team participated in qualifying for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Their debut eliminated Senegal (1âÂÂ0) and Tunisia after a draw. In the final round of the preliminaries, against Sudan and Nigeria, Morocco obtained five points, finishing ahead of Nigeria. Shortly after, Morocco lost the decisive play-off against Algeria to enter the final stage of the 1970 Africa Cup of Nations.
Morocco thus became the first African national team to qualify for the World Cup after having played in an elimination tournament. The Moroccan team, coached by the Yugoslav Blagoje VidiniÃÂ, consisted entirely of players in the Moroccan league, including Driss Bamous and Ahmed Faras.
On 3 June 1970, against West Germany, Morocco opened the scoring with a goal in the 21st minute of the game scored by Houmane Jarir. In the second half, however, the Germans scored twice and won 2âÂÂ1. The Atlas Lions then played against Peru, conceding three goals in ten minutes to lose 3âÂÂ0. On 11 June 1970, the eliminated Moroccans drew with Bulgaria 1âÂÂ1. It was the first point obtained by an African national team at the World Cup.
In 1972 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, the Atlas Lions ousted Algeria, then faced Egypt, defeating them 3âÂÂ0 in the first leg and suffering a 3âÂÂ2 defeat on the way back. However, the aggregate win meant they qualified for the final phase of the continental tournament for the first time. In the group stage, they accumulated three 1âÂÂ1 draws against Congo, Sudan and Zaire and were eliminated in the first round. All three Moroccan goals were scored by Ahmed Faras.
Qualifying for the 1972 Olympics in Munich with two wins and two draws, Morocco debuted in Group A with a goalless draw against the United States, then lost 3âÂÂ0 against hosts West Germany and defeated Malaysia 6âÂÂ0 with a Faras hat-trick, thereby advancing to the second round. Due to defeats against USSR (3âÂÂ0), Denmark (3âÂÂ1) and Poland (5âÂÂ0), they were eliminated from the tournament; finishing bottom of their group.
In the 1974 World Cup qualifiers, Morocco successfully passed three qualifying rounds before entering the final stage alongside Zambia and Zaire. Losing 4âÂÂ0 away against Zambia, the Moroccans bounced back in the second game, defeating the same opponent 2âÂÂ0 at home. They then went to Zaire for their third game but lost 3âÂÂ0, conceding all three goals in the second half, with Faras leaving the field due to injury. Morocco filed an appeal, trying to get the match to be replayed; it was dismissed by FIFA. In protest, Morocco withdrew from the qualifiers causing the Atlas Lions to miss their final game at home against Zaire which had already qualified for the finals, with FIFA awarding Zaire a 2âÂÂ0 win on walkover. For the same reason, Morocco also decided not to take part in the 1974 African Cup of Nations qualification. As a result, in 1974, Morocco played only two games, both against Algeria, achieving a 2âÂÂ0 win and a 0âÂÂ0 draw. Morocco then resumed playing in FIFA and CAF competitions, qualifying for the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations by eliminating Ghana in the last round, but failed to qualify for the 1976 Olympics, being eliminated by Nigeria.
Morocco, coached by the Romanian Virgil MÃÂrdÃÂrescu and captained by Faras, took the continental throne at 1976 African Cup of Nations, in only the country's second participation in the competition. Ahmed Makrouh scored in the final to equalize at 1âÂÂ1, which gave Morocco the first, and to date, only cup in its history.
After failing to qualify for the 1974 FIFA World Cup, they also missed the 1978 and 1982 tournaments. At the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations, they were eliminated in the first round, while in 1980 they finished in third place, beating Egypt 2âÂÂ0. They then won the 1983 Mediterranean Games, played at home, after a 3âÂÂ0 win in the final against Turkey B.
Morocco did not qualify for either the 1982 or 1984 Africa Cup of Nations. Two years later, they finished fourth, losing 3âÂÂ2 in the third-place play-off to Ivory Coast.
Morocco qualified for the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, and topped a group consisting Portugal, England and Poland, thanks to two draws against the English and Polish and a 3âÂÂ1 win against the Portuguese. However, they were narrowly eliminated by West Germany in the first knockout round, thanks to a goal from Lothar Matthäus one minute from the end of regulation time. Morocco became the first African and Arab national team to advance from the first round of the World Cup.
Two years later, the Moroccan team presented itself at the 1988 African Cup of Nations as a host country with high expectations. After winning in the first round, they were eliminated in the semi-finals by Cameroon and finished in fourth place after losing the third-place play-off against Algeria 1âÂÂ1 after extra time, 4âÂÂ3 after penalties.
Morocco failed to qualify for the 1990 FIFA World Cup and was eliminated in the group stage of the 1992 African Cup of Nations. The team also did not qualify for the 1994 and 1996 African Cup of Nations tournaments. Despite these setbacks, the team qualified for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States and the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. In both tournaments, Morocco were praised for their attacking style of play, led by key players such as Mustapha Hadji, Noureddine Naybet, and Salaheddine Bassir.
At the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations, after winning their group, Morocco were defeated by South Africa 2âÂÂ1.
Morocco took part in the 2004 African Cup of Nations, drawn into Group D defeating Nigeria 1âÂÂ0, defeating Benin 4âÂÂ0 and drawing 1âÂÂ1 with South Africa. Morocco qualified to the knockout stages, facing Algeria; they eventually won 3âÂÂ1 in extra time, and 4âÂÂ0 against Mali in the semi-final. They lost the 2004 African Cup of Nations Final against Tunisia 2âÂÂ1.
In 2012, the national team won the Arab Cup, topping their group, defeating Iraq in the semi-final and Libya in the final.
In 2014, Morocco debuted in the African Nations Championship after failing to qualify in the 2009 and 2011 editions. Led by coach Hassan Benabicha, Morocco were eliminated in the second round after losing 4âÂÂ3 to Nigeria in the quarter-finals. They managed to qualify for the 2016 African Nations Championship, but were eliminated in the group stages. Morocco hosted the 2018 African Nations Championship, which included a victory for the home nation, the third North African country to win the competition's title.
Morocco returned to the World Cup after a 20-year absence in 2018. The North Africans were drawn in Group B with World Cup favourites Spain, Portugal, and Iran. In their opening game against Iran, Morocco showed full dedication but lost 10 in the final minutes of the match, scored by an own goal. In their second game, Morocco faced Portugal but ended losing 1âÂÂ0 by a goal scored by Cristiano Ronaldo and also got eliminated from the tournament. In the last match against Spain they took a 2âÂÂ1 lead, with goals scored by Khalid Boutaïb and Youssef En-Nesyri, but the match eventually ended 2âÂÂ2.
Morocco entered the 2019 AFCON with high confidence and players claiming them to be the favourite to win. However, in spite of three straight group stage wins, Morocco were shockingly knocked out by Benin in the round of sixteen.
At the 2020 African Nations Championship in Cameroon, Morocco won their second CHAN title, in its second consecutive final appearance. Captained by Ayoub El Kaabi, they defeated Togo (1âÂÂ0), Rwanda (0âÂÂ0), the Uganda (5âÂÂ2), Zambia (3âÂÂ1), and Cameroon (4âÂÂ0) on the way to a final against Mali in Yaoundé. Morocco won 2âÂÂ0, with both goals scored late into the second half by Soufiane Bouftini and Ayoub El Kaabi. Morocco thus became the first team to win back-to-back titles. Soufiane Rahimi went on to be named Total Man of the tournament after an astonishing performance scoring a total of 5 goals.
In December 2021, Morocco started its venture at the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup's Group C, along with Jordan, Palestine and Saudi Arabia. Morocco opened the tournament with a 4âÂÂ0 win against Palestine, and then managed to overcome a highly defensive Jordan with another 4âÂÂ0 triumph, before winning their final match in a 1âÂÂ0 victory against Saudi Arabia. They were eliminated in the quarter-finals after a penalty-shootout against Algeria.
After easily topping their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification group which consisted of Mauritania, Burundi, and Central African Republic, Morocco entered the tournament in Cameroon. Morocco were drawn into group E alongside Gabon, Ghana and Comoros, and won their first game against Ghana scored by Sofiane Boufal in the final minutes of the game. In their second game against Comoros, they claimed a 2âÂÂ0 victory. Their final match against Gabon ended in a draw, making Morocco reach the round of 16 after ending up first in the group. They defeated Malawi 2âÂÂ1 in the round of 16, before being eliminated in the quarter-finals after a 2âÂÂ1 loss against Egypt.
After qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup by winning the third round of CAF qualifiers, the team was drawn in Group F along with Croatia, Belgium, and Canada. After holding previous runners-up Croatia to a 0âÂÂ0 draw and defeating Belgium 2âÂÂ0, a 2âÂÂ1 win over Canada meant they finished top of the group and advanced to the round of 16 for the first time since 1986. In the round of 16, they met Spain, drawing 0âÂÂ0. In the subsequent penalty shootout, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved two penalties, and Achraf Hakimi scored the decisive penalty with a panenka penalty for Morocco to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time. They advanced further to the semi-finals winning against favourite Portugal, 1âÂÂ0, with a powerful header by Youssef En-Nesyri. Morocco therefore became the first African and Arab team to qualify for the semi-finals.
However, they lost to France in the semi-final, 2âÂÂ0 on 14 December at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, putting an end to Morocco's World Cup run. They played Croatia in the third place play-off on 17 December at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al-Rayyan, a rematch of the earlier group stage meeting. They lost 2âÂÂ1 to the latter, and ended their World Cup campaign at fourth place. The team would go on to donate their entire World Cup earnings from the tournament to charities within Morocco that help with poverty that affects children and families in the country.
In October 2025, Morocco broke the world record for the longest winning streak in international football, surpassing SpainâÂÂs previous mark of 15 consecutive victories set between June 2008 and June 2009. With a 1âÂÂ0 win over Congo in Rabat, Morocco extended their unbeaten run to 16 straight wins across all competitions, including World Cup qualifiers and friendlies. The streak, which began in June 2024, ultimately reached 19 consecutive wins before ending with a draw in December 2025.
Morocco won the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup with its national Aâ² team, defeating Jordan 3âÂÂ2 after extra time in the final. The Moroccan side, composed primarily of players active in domestic and regional leagues, secured the title following a closely contested match in which the score was level at the end of regular time. The victory marked MoroccoâÂÂs second triumph in the FIFA Arab Cup, after its first title in 2012.
Morocco hosted the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and advanced from the group stage through the knockout rounds, reaching the final for the first time in two decades, where they faced Senegal. The match remained scoreless after regular and stoppage time. During this period, Morocco was awarded a penalty following a VAR review; however, play was briefly interrupted when the Senegal team left the pitch in protest before returning several minutes later. Brahim DÃÂazâÂÂs penalty was saved, and the match proceeded to extra time, where Senegal scored the only goal.
The final initially ended in a 1âÂÂ0 victory for Senegal after extra time. However, on 17 March 2026, the CAF Appeal Board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match after temporarily refusing to play and leaving the pitch in protest of a refereeing decision. In accordance with articles 82 and 84 of the competition regulations, the result was overturned and recorded as a 3âÂÂ0 victory for Morocco, thereby awarding them the title of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations champions and annulling SenegalâÂÂs win.
MoroccoâÂÂs primary home stadium is Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where the national team plays most of its home matches.
During Ezzaki BadouâÂÂs tenure as head coach from 2014 to 2016, Morocco played most of its matches at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir, which has a capacity of 45,480. Morocco also has several other large venues, including Fez Stadium, Marrakesh Stadium, and Ibn Battouta Stadium in Tangier.
Morocco's home colours are most red shirts and green shorts and socks. Away colours are usually all white or all green.
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
The following players were called up for the friendly matches with Ecuador and Paraguay at 27 and 31 March 2026, respectively. <br>Caps and goals are correct as of 31 March 2026, after the match against Paraguay.
The following players have also been called up for the team in the last twelve months.
<sup>DEC</sup><span style="font-size:90%"> Player declined the call-up to the squad</span><br /> <sup>INJ</sup><span style="font-size:90%"> Did not make it to the current squad due to injury</span><br /> <sup>PRE</sup><span style="font-size:90%"> Preliminary squad / standby</span><br /> <sup>RET</sup><span style="font-size:90%"> Player retired from internationals</span><br /> <sup>SUS</sup><span style="font-size:90%"> Player is suspended</span><br /> <sup>WD</sup><span style="font-size:90%"> Player withdrew from the roster for non-injury related reasons</span><br />
Morocco's national football team has participated in the World Cup six times. Their best performance was in the 2022 tournament where they finished in fourth place, becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
1951 to 1987 senior teams, from 1991 youth teams.
Correct as of 31 March 2026 after the match against Paraguay.