The Night a Nation Holds Its Breath
On 13 June, Morocco kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, facing Brazil in the opening game of Group Stage 1.
As group openers go, it doesn't get more electric than this.
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Mohamed Ouahbi's side arrive battle-tested, sharp, and backed by the belief of a nation.
Forged in Fire: The Road to New Jersey
Morocco's pre-tournament programme has been a broadly encouraging run, built on collective effort and growing conviction.
They swept aside Burundi 5–0 and Madagascar 4–0 in back-to-back home friendlies in late May and early June — a statement of collective ambition that set the tone for everything ahead.
A 1–1 draw with Norway on 7 June in their final warm-up delivered one last edge of competitive sharpness before the grandest stage arrives. Earlier in the spring, they edged Paraguay 2–1, drew 1–1 with Ecuador, and claimed a 3–2 win away at Madagascar in the African Nations Championship in August 2025. Four wins, two draws, and no defeats across those six outings — this squad does not arrive in New Jersey hoping. It arrives believing.
The Brotherhood in Red — A Galaxy of Stars
The squad Mohamed Ouahbi has assembled is a testament to how far Moroccan football's player pool now stretches — a constellation of talent drawn from leagues across the world.
In defence, A. Hakimi (Paris Saint Germain) and N. Mazraoui (Manchester United) provide width and experience from the flanks, while N. Aguerd (Marseille) and I. Diop (Fulham) anchor the centre.
The engine room pulses with quality: S. Amrabat (Real Betis) commands the midfield alongside B. El Khannouss (VfB Stuttgart), N. El Aynaoui (AS Roma), and Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid).
Up front, A. El Kaabi (Olympiakos Piraeus) leads the forward options, supported by I. Saibari (PSV Eindhoven) and S. Rahimi (Al Ain). Between the posts, Y. Bounou (Al-Hilal Saudi FC) is among the goalkeeping choices.
From the Premier League to Ligue 1, La Liga to the Bundesliga, Serie A and further afield — this generation of Moroccan footballers spans the entire map of the game. Every player who pulls on that red shirt, wherever they grew up, carries the same dream home. Dima Maghrib!
The Biggest Stage. The Brightest Lights. The Perfect Moment.
MetLife Stadium does not offer a gentler entry — facing Brazil to open Group Stage 1 is as high-profile a start as any team in this tournament could draw.
Morocco will need to be at their sharpest from the very first whistle.
And this squad — with its Premier League combatants, its La Liga magicians, its Bundesliga craftsmen, its voices ringing out through Ligue 1 and Serie A and beyond — has been building toward exactly this kind of moment. One roar rising from MetLife Stadium on the 13th of June, carrying all the way home. Yalla Maghreb!