Rabat – Dozens of Moroccan fans gathered near Rabat-Salé Airport on Saturday night to welcome the Atlas Lions, who returned home last night after their quarterfinal exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a defeat to France.
Moroccan fans gathered outside the airport, awaiting the national team, which arrived after midnight.
Many fans, however, once again chose to defy sleep and pay tribute to the national team upon its return from a thrilling World Cup journey that ended in the quarterfinals.
Morocco returned home after its defeat to France in the quarterfinals on Thursday, a loss that ended its remarkable World Cup campaign.
Their campaign highlighted their resilience and showed that Morocco’s football status continues to grow despite criticism over some of the mistakes the Atlas Lions made in the France vs. Morocco game.
However, the national team continues to impress in Africa and has achieved a feat that even some elite teams did not reach by qualifying for the quarterfinals.
Coach Mohamed Ouahbi acknowledged that France was the stronger opponent in Thursday’s game, emphasizing that his side was forced onto the defensive by the quality of the French team rather than by tactical choice.
“Why did we defend from the beginning? They forced us to defend because they were very good when they had the ball, and they moved well down the flanks,” Ouahbi acknowledged.
“We have to admit they were better than us and quicker.”
Despite the defeat, many fans argue that the loss does not diminish Morocco’s achievements, including its unforgettable 2022 World Cup run that made it the first Arab and African team to qualify for the semifinals.
In this 2026 edition, Morocco was the only Arab and African team to qualify for the quarterfinals, reflecting its continued momentum and growing football status, even as the team continues to make headlines despite the bitter defeat to France.
