Morocco's impressive World Cup campaign continues to attract international recognition.
Ahead of the Round of 16, football analytics platform Opta Analyst has ranked the Atlas Lions among the seven most likely teams to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting Morocco's remarkable rise among the world's elite national sides.
The latest projections come after Mohamed Ouahbi's team advanced from the group stage with an unbeaten record and eliminated the Netherlands in a dramatic Round of 32 encounter.
Morocco Climbs Into the World's Elite
Opta's latest supercomputer update places Morocco seventh among all remaining teams competing for football's biggest prize.
The model, which simulates the tournament 25,000 times, evaluates every team's chances based on current performances, statistical data, squad strength, and the knockout bracket.
According to the projections, Morocco has a 7.99% chance of reaching the World Cup final and a 3.27% probability of lifting the trophy.
The Atlas Lions are one of only seven nations given more than a three percent chance of becoming world champions.
Europe and South America Lead the Rankings
France tops Opta's latest projections with a 29.42% chance of winning the tournament. Argentina follows with 14.60%, ahead of Spain 13.54%, Brazil 9.22%, England 8.59%, and Portugal 4.86%.
Morocco sits immediately behind Portugal, ahead of several traditional football powers that remain in contention.
The ranking reflects the growing respect the Atlas Lions have earned through consistent performances on the global stage.
Recognition Built on Results
Morocco's place among the tournament favorites has not come by chance.
The Atlas Lions opened the competition with a draw against Brazil before defeating Scotland and Haiti to progress from the group stage.
They then overcame the Netherlands in a thrilling knockout contest, once again demonstrating the resilience, tactical discipline, and attacking quality that have defined their campaign.
Each performance has strengthened Morocco's reputation as one of the most complete teams remaining in the tournament.
A Supercomputer That Evolves With Every Match
Opta's supercomputer continuously updates its projections throughout the World Cup.
Every match, every goal, and every result influences the probabilities as the tournament progresses.
The model combines advanced statistical analysis with team performances, opponent strength, and the structure of the knockout bracket to generate its latest forecasts.
As the competition advances, those percentages will continue to evolve.
Another Opportunity to Raise Expectations
Morocco now turns its attention to a crucial Round of 16 meeting with Canada.
Victory would send the Atlas Lions into the quarterfinals for the second consecutive World Cup and could further improve their chances in Opta's projections.
While statistics offer an intriguing glimpse into the tournament's possibilities, Morocco's focus remains exactly where it has been from the opening match.
One game at a time.
One challenge at a time.
With belief growing at home and respect increasing around the football world, the Atlas Lions continue their pursuit of another unforgettable World Cup journey.