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Rabat – Former Morocco international Karim El Ahmadi believes the Atlas Lions have developed into a more complete team capable of controlling possession, building attacks, and imposing their rhythm on opponents.
Speaking to Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah, El Ahmadi said Morocco’s performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have shown clear progress compared with the team that reached the semifinals in Qatar four years ago.
Morocco began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Brazil before earning a 1-0 win over Scotland.
“The start Morocco have made, with the draw against Brazil and the victory over Scotland, reflects a different team in terms of maturity and identity,” El Ahmadi said.
“The players produced a very high level, especially during the first 25 minutes of the opening game,” he explained. “The team showed great organization and a clear ability to control the match.”
El Ahmadi said that the ability represents an important step forward from Morocco’s historic 2022 World Cup campaign.
Morocco dictates the rhythm
Morocco’s success in Qatar was largely built on defensive discipline, physical commitment and rapid counterattacks.
El Ahmadi believes the current team has added greater technical quality and now feels comfortable taking responsibility for possession.
“Morocco no longer rely only on the defensive side or fighting spirit,” he said. “They have become a team that knows how to keep possession, build play and impose the rhythm, especially in midfield.”
The former Feyenoord midfielder described the middle of the pitch as the central source of strength for the present generation.
Morocco’s midfielders have demonstrated the ability to receive the ball under pressure, progress through central areas and maintain possession against technically strong opponents.
“The team can now create play through the middle and keep the ball under pressure,” El Ahmadi added. “It was not this strong in the past.”
That evolution has allowed the Atlas Lions to become more proactive rather than simply waiting for opponents and attempting to punish mistakes on the break.
Despite praising Morocco’s overall development, El Ahmadi identified attacking efficiency as the most important area requiring further improvement.
He noted that Morocco created several opportunities during their matches against Brazil and Scotland but failed to convert enough of them.
“Morocco created many chances against Brazil and Scotland,” he said. “But major teams such as France and Argentina know how to turn half-chances into goals.”
El Ahmadi argued that this clinical edge often separates the strongest contenders from the rest during major international tournaments.
“This is the decisive difference in competitions like these,” he added.
Morocco scored only twice across their opening two matches despite producing several promising attacking moves and controlling long periods of both games.
Improved finishing could therefore become crucial as the tournament progresses and the margins between teams become increasingly narrow.
