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Meknes – Former Moroccan star Hicham Aboucherouane believes the Moroccan national team is fully capable of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup, pointing to their superior technical performances throughout the tournament as key to their title ambitions.
The former star says that the 2026 World Cup team is tactically different from the 2022 squad, explaining that every team has its own unique style and strengths.
Speaking in an interview with the Saudi newspaper Okaz, Aboucherouane broke down the tactical differences between the current squad and the historic 2022 team.
“The Moroccan national team in the 2022 World Cup possessed all the components of football, was capable of competing with the best teams in the world, and included highly skilled players. On the other hand, the current team leans more toward defensive play and relying on counter-attacks, and they do not build up play in the same way; however, coach Mohamed Ouahbi has succeeded in creating great harmony among the players and has left his tactical blueprint on the group,” the former international said.
When asked about the top contenders to win the tournament, Aboucherouane acknowledged the strength of the remaining field but named his favorites to lift the trophy, stating: “All the teams that qualified for the quarter-finals are strong and deserve to be in this round, but I tip Morocco alongside Spain, England, and Argentina to go all the way and compete for the World Cup title.”
Turning his attention to the highly anticipated quarter-final against France, Aboucherouane weighed in on the challenge ahead for the Atlas Lions.
“It will be a difficult match because it brings together two of the best teams in the tournament. The French team has exceptional players, especially in the attack, who are capable of making a difference at any moment, but the Moroccan team also possesses great collective strength,” he explained.
Concluding his remarks, the former international shared his final hopes for the squad’s performance and efficiency in front of goal.
“I hope the national team players succeed in exploiting the opportunities that come their way, and that they manage to settle the match and qualify for the semi-finals, God willing,” he concluded.
The highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final is set for this Thursday at Boston Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 9:00 PM Moroccan time.
This fixture serves as an intense rematch of their 2022 World Cup semi-final showdown, which saw France edge out a hard-fought 2-0 win.
