Morocco national football team

Morocco national football team in 1942 with the legend Larbi Benbarek

The Moroccan national team was founded in 1928 and played its first game on 22 December of that year against the B team of France, to whom it lost 2–1. This team, formed by the best footballers of the LMFA or the Moroccan Football League (settlers or natives), was active in friendly matches against other North African teams such as those of Algeria and Tunisia. These associations of settler clubs and local footballers, in addition to having their own championship, clashed with each other in a tournament that Morocco won several times, such as in 1948–1949.

The LMFA also faced some club teams such as NK Lokomotiva Zagreb in January 1950, as well as France A and France B. Against France A the LMFA made a 1–1 draw in Casablanca in 1941.

On 9 September 1954, an earthquake struck the Algerian region of Orléansville (now Chlef) and caused the destruction of the city and the death of over 1,400 people. On 7 October 1954, the French Football Association and the Maghreb inhabitants organized a charity match to raise funds for the families of the victims of the catastrophic event. In the match, held at the Parc de Princes in Paris, a team made up of Moroccans, Algerians and Tunisians played against the national team of France. Led by star Larbi Benbarek, the Maghreb selection managed to win 3–2, a month before the Toussaint Rouge attacks by the Algerian National Liberation Front which marked the beginning of the Algerian War.

Mohamed Massoun coach of Morocco in 1960's

In 1955, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation was established, at the end of the French protectorate of Morocco, which had lasted since 1912.

On 19 October 1957, at the 2nd edition of the Pan Arab Games in Lebanon, Morocco made its debut as an independent country against Iraq, at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, and drew 3–3. At the tournament, Morocco took the first win in its history against Libya, winning 5–1, then beat Tunisia 3–1 to reach the semi-finals. After a 1–1 draw with Syria, lots were drawn to decide who would progress to the final, and Syria were selected at Morocco's expense. Morocco withdrew from the third-place play-off against Lebanon and finished fourth overall.[6]

Between 1957 and 1958, Morocco held numerous friendly matches against the National Liberation Front team, the representative of Algeria before its independence in 1958. In 1959, the team took part for the first time in an international competition, the qualifying rounds of the 1960 Rome Olympics. Drawn into a group with Tunisia and Malta, Morocco finished second on goal difference and failed to progress. That same year, the football federation of Morocco joined FIFA.

In 1960, Morocco competed in World Cup qualification for the first time. Drawn against Tunisia in the first round, Morocco won the first leg 2–1, while Tunisia won the second leg 2–1. A play-off held in Palermo, Italy also finished in a tie, so a coin toss was used to determine who progressed. Morocco won the toss, and beat Ghana 1–0 on aggregate to reach the inter-continental play-offs. Drawn against Spain, Morocco lost 4–2 on aggregate and thus failed to qualify.

In 1961, Morocco held the Pan-Arab Games and won the football tournament, winning all five of their matches. Their third match, against Saudi Arabia, resulted in Morocco's biggest-ever victory, winning 13–1.[7] They also claimed their first two wins against a European team, beating East Germany 2–1 and 2–0.

In 1963, the Moroccan team came close to qualifying for the African Cup of Nations. In the decisive play-off against Tunisia, they were defeated 4–1 in Tunis and won 4–2 at home, they were therefore eliminated. At the Mediterranean Games in Naples 1963, they finished fourth after a 2–1 defeat in the final for third place against Spain's reserve team.[8]

Morocco vs Netherlands in 1964

Morocco participated for the first time in the final phase of an international competition at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Having qualified under the leadership of manager Mohamed Massoun, the Moroccans were included in a group of three teams due to the withdrawal of North Korea. Morocco lost both their matches, against Hungary (6–0, the team's worst-ever defeat) and Yugoslavia (3–1, despite taking the lead in the second minute via Ali Bouachra).

In 1966, the Moroccan Football Association joined the Confederation of African Football and was able to participate in the competitions organized by the CAF.

During qualifying for the 1968 Olympics, Morocco refused to play against Israel, and were eventually replaced by Ghana.

In the two-year period 1968–1969, the team was engaged in qualifying for the Mexican World Championship in 1970. Their debut was positive, they eliminated Senegal (1–0) and Tunisia after a draw, which at the time was necessary after three draws (of which last in Marseille, by 2–2). In the final round of the preliminaries, against Sudan and Nigeria, Morocco obtained five points, finishing ahead of Nigeria and qualifying for the first time for the final round of a world championship. Shortly after, Morocco lost the decisive play-off against Algeria to enter the final stage of the 1970 Africa Cup of Nations.

Morocco thus became the first African national team to qualify for a world championship after having played in an elimination tournament. The Moroccan team, coached by the Yugoslav Blagoje Vidinić, consisted exclusively of players in the Moroccan league, including Driss Bamous and Ahmed Faras.

On 3 June 1970, against West Germany in front of 12,942 spectators, Morocco surprisingly opened the scoring with a goal in the twenty-first minute of the game scored by Houmane Jarir. In the second half, however, the West Germans scored with Uwe Seeler and Gerd Müller and won by 2–1. The Lions of the Atlas then played against Peru in front of 13,537 spectators. This time the Moroccans conceded three goals in ten minutes to lose 3–0. On 11 June 1970, the eliminated Moroccans drew with Bulgaria 1–1, with a comeback goal in the sixtieth game of Maouhoub Ghazouani. It was the first point obtained by an African national team at the World Cup.[9]

In the 1972 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, the Lions of the Atlas ousted Algeria, then they faced Egypt, beating them 3–0 in the first leg and suffering a 3–2 defeat on the way back, yet they qualified for the first time for the final phase of the continental tournament. In the group stage, they had three 1–1 draws against Congo, Sudan and Zaire and were eliminated in the first round. All three Moroccan goals brought the signature of Ahmed Faras.

Qualifying for the 1972 Olympics with two wins and two draws, Morocco debuted in Group A with a goalless draw against the United States, then lost 3–0 against hosts West Germany and defeated Malaysia 6–0 with an Ahmed Faras hat-trick, thereby advancing to the second round. Due to defeats against USSR (3–0), Denmark (3–1) and Poland (5–0), they were eliminated from the tournament; finishing bottom of their group.[10] To date, this result remains the best performance of the Atlas Lions at the Olympic football tournament.

In the 1974 world cup qualifiers, Morocco successfully passed three qualifying rounds before entering the final round alongside Zambia and Zaire. Badly beaten 4–0 away by Zambia, the Moroccans bounced back in the second game, defeating the same opponent 2–0 at home. They then went to Zaire for their third game but lost 3–0, conceding all three goals in the second half, with Faras leaving the field due to injury. Morocco filed an appeal, trying to get the match to be replayed. However, it was dismissed by FIFA. In protest, Morocco withdrew from the qualifiers causing the Atlas Lions to miss their final game at home against Zaire which had already qualified for the finals, with FIFA awarding Zaire a 2-0 win on walkover. For the same reason, Morocco also decided not to take part in the 1974 African Cup of Nations qualification.

In 1974, Morocco played only two games, both against Algeria, achieving a 2–0 win and a 0–0 draw. After 1974, Morocco resumed its regular FIFA and CAF competitions. They managed to get the qualification for the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations by eliminating Ghana at the last round, but failed to qualify for the 1976 Olympics, as eliminated by Nigeria.

Morocco, coached by the Romanian Virgil Mărdărescu and captained by Ahmed Faras, took the continental throne, finishing in first place the final round of the 1976 African Cup of Nations, in his second participation in the final phase of the competition.

The final phase, in Ethiopia, foresaw a novelty, the first two classified of each of the two groups of four teams would have met in a final round from four teams, contending the title of Champion of Africa. The elimination rounds were cancelled, and replaced by a mini-championship. On 29 February 1976, the tournament started with the first matches of group A, but Morocco, entered in group B, started on 1 March 1976. Inserted in a group with Sudan, Zaire and Nigeria, Mărdărescu's team equalized 2–2 with Sudan Chérif Fetoui's Moroccan goals on the 5th and Ahmed Abouali on the 58th minute), then, thanks to Abdel Ali Zahraoui's goal on the eightieth minute of play, they beat Zaire. In the last game they won a comeback 3–1 against Nigeria (Nigerian goal on the 5th with a penalty and Moroccan trio with Ahmed Faras on the 8th, Abdallah Tazi on 19th and Larbi Chebbak on the 81st), obtaining so the first place in the group and qualifying for the final round (a group stage of four teams) together with the Nigerians, second in the standings in the group B. The final round put Morocco against Egypt. The Moroccans, had an advantage with a goal by Faras, suffered a draw, but took the lead two minutes before the end of the match again with Zahraoui and won 2–1. The next match against the Nigerians ended with a success, thanks to two goals from Ahmed Faras and Redouane El Guezzar scored in the last eight minutes of play to overturn the provisional opponent advantage (2–1). The final match, against Guinea, would have decided the African Champion team. On 14 March 1976, in Addis Ababa, the Guineans, aimed to victory, took the lead in the first half, but four minutes to the end of the match Ahmed Makrouh scored the goal of the final draw (1–1), which gave to Morocco the first cup of its history.[11]

Morocco then failed to qualify for the 1974 FIFA World Cup, the 1978 FIFA World Cup and the 1982 FIFA World Cup. At the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations, they were eliminated in the first round, while at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations they won the third place, beating in the consolation final Egypt 2–0.[12] They then won the 1983 Mediterranean Games, played at home, thanks to a 3–0 success in the final against Turkey B.[13]

Morocco did not qualify for either the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations or that of 1984 Africa Cup of Nations. At the 1986 Africa Cup of Nations, they finished fourth, beaten 3–2 in the consolation final by the Ivory Coast (Moroccan goals by Abdelfettah Rhiati and Mohammed Sahil).[14]

The subsequent participation in the 1986 FIFA World Cup which took place in Mexico. Morocco, coached by the Brazilian José Faria, had a valid team at their disposal, with Aziz Bouderbala, Salahdine Hmied, Merry Krimau and Mohamed Timoumi.

In Mexico, Morocco surprisingly won a group with Portugal, England and Poland, thanks to two draws against the English and Polish team[15] and a 3–1 win against the Portuguese (Abderrazak Khairi scored twice and goals from Abdelkrim Merry Krimau).[16] However, they were narrowly eliminated by West Germany in the first knockout round, thanks to a goal from Lothar Matthäus one minute from the end of regulation time. Morocco became the first African and Arab national team to have passed the first round of a world championship.[17]

Two years later, the Moroccan team presented itself at the 1988 African Cup of Nations as a host country with high expectations. After winning the first round, they were eliminated in the semifinals by Cameroon and finished in fourth place after losing the consolation final against Algeria (1–1 after extra time and 4–3 after the penalty shots).

Failure to qualify for the 1990 FIFA World Cup opened a period of crisis. In the 1992 African Cup of Nations, the team was eliminated in the first round. They did not participate, then, either in the 1994 Africa Cup or in the 1996 African Cup.

At the end of the millennium, the North African team took part in two consecutive world championships: in the United States in 1994 and in France in 1998. On both occasions they were eliminated in the first round, although in the second case it came close to qualifying.

In 1994, Morocco were knocked out after three defeats against Belgium (1–0), Saudi Arabia (2–1, Moroccan goal of Mohammed Chaouch) and Netherlands (2–1, Moroccan goal of Hassan Nader),[18] while in 1998 they left in a controversial way. Having drawn in the first match with Norway 2–2 (goals from star Mustapha Hadji and Abdeljalil Hadda) and lost 3–0 against Brazil, Morocco coached by the French Henri Michel clearly beat (3–0) the Scotland (goal by Abdeljalil Hadda and two goals by Salaheddine Bassir) in Saint-Étienne.[19]

At the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations, after winning their group, Morocco were defeated and eliminated from South Africa (2–1).[20]

Morocco national football team in 2011

Moroccan national football team in 2014

Morocco took part in the 2004 African Cup of Nations, Morocco was drawn into Group D defeating Nigeria 1-0, defeating Benin 4-0[21] and drawing 1-1 with South Africa. Morocco qualified to the knockout stages, facing Algeria. they eventually won 3-1 in extra time[22] and won a staggering 4-0 against Mali in the semi final.[23] They lost the 2004 African Cup of Nations Final against Tunisia 2-1.[24]

In 2014, Morocco participated for the first time in the African Nations Championship after failing to qualify in the 2009 and 2011 editions. led by coach Hassan Benabicha, Morocco did not make it past the second round after losing 3–4 to Nigeria in the Quarter-finals.[25] They managed to qualify for the 2016 African Nations Championship, but were eliminated in the group stages.[26]

In 2012, the national team won the 2012 Arab Cup, Morocco started its first match with a 4-0 victory against Bahrain. They tied their second match against Libya and won a staggering 4-0 in their third match against Yemen all scored by Yassine Salhi. They qualified to the knockout stages after topping their group. They faced Iraq in the semi-final which they claimed a 2-1 victory. They faced Libya again in the finals for the second time in the tournament after they drew their first match. They went on to defeat Libya in the final by penalties after very long 1-1 tie; Yassine Salhi was the top scorer and named best player of the tournament.[27]

Moroccan fans could enjoy not only the hosting of the CHAN in the kingdom two years later in 2018, but also a tournament victory for their local national team, which became the third North African country to win the competition’s title, after Tunisia, winners in 2011, and Libya in 2014. The road was not easy for Moroccan players, who were coached by Jamal Sellami in 2018, as they had to face strong, experienced African National teams, especially in the semi-final and final matches. In the group phase, the path was easier, with a 4–0 victory against Mauritania[28] followed by a second 3–1 win against Guinea,[29] before a scoreless draw against Sudan in the final group match.[30] The Local Atlas Lions finished top of their group with 7 points out of 9 to advance to the quarter-finals, where they beat Namibia 2–0 in Casablanca.[31] On 31 January 2018, Morocco made history, as they qualified for the final match of the CHAN for the first time in their history after beating 2014 title winners Libya 3–1 at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.[32] The final match was a flurry of Moroccan goals. Four in total were scored, by Zakaria Hadraf in both the 44th and 61st minutes, Walid El Karti in the 64th minute, as well as Ayoub El Kaabi (top scorer of the competition) in the 73rd minute, to win the first CHAN title for the kingdom.[33] Ayoub El Kaabi later went on to be named Total man of the tournament.[34]

Morocco starting 11 against Iran in the 2018 World Cup

At the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Morocco's return to the world cup finals after a 20 year absence.[35] The North Africans were drawn in Group B with World Cup favorites Spain, Portugal, and Iran.[36] In their opening game against Iran, Morocco showed full dedication but lost 1–0 in the final minutes of the match, scored by an own goal.[37] In their second game, Morocco faced Portugal but ended losing 1–0 by a goal scored by Cristiano Ronaldo.[38] In the last match against Spain they took the lead 2–1 but was unable to keep it, and drew 2–2, scored by Khalid Boutaïb and Youssef En-Nesyri.[39]

Morocco vs Portugal in the 2018 World Cup

Morocco entered the 2019 AFCON with high confidence, being the favorites to win the 2019 AFCON.[40][41] However, in spite of three straight group stage wins, Morocco was shockingly knocked out by less known Benin in the round of sixteen.[42][43]

At the 2020 African Nations Championship in Cameroon,[44] Morocco won their second CHAN title, in its second consecutive final appearance. Captained by Ayoub El Kaabi, they defeated Togo (1–0),[45] Rwanda (0–0),[46] the Uganda (5–2),[47] Zambia (3–1),[48] and Cameroon (4–0)[49] on the way to a final against Mali in Yaoundé. Morocco won 2–0, with both goals scored late into the second half by Soufiane Bouftini and Ayoub El Kaabi.[50] Morocco thus became the first team to win back-to-back titles since the tournament's inauguration in 2009. Soufiane Rahimi went on to be named Total Man of the tournament after an astonishing performance scoring a total of 5 goals.[51]

In December 2021, Morocco started its venture at the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup in Group C, along with Jordan, Palestine and Saudi Arabia. Morocco opened the tournament with a 4–0 win against Palestine,[52] Morocco then managed to overcome a highly defensive Jordan with another 4–0 triumph,[53] They won their final match in a 1-0 victory against Saudi Arabia.[54] they were eliminated in the quarter-final after penalty-shootout against Algeria.[55]

After easily topping their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification group which consisted of Mauritania, Burundi, and Central African Republic. Morocco were one of the favorites to win the 2021 edition of the tournament hosted in Cameroon.[56] Morocco were drawn into group E that included Gabon, Ghana and Comoros. Morocco won its first game against Ghana scored by Sofiane Boufal in the final minutes of the game.[57] In their second game against Comoros, they claimed a 2-0 victory.[58] their final match against Gabon was to decide who would end in top of the table, it ended in a 2-2 tie. Morocco qualified to the round of 16 after coming first in the group.[59] They won Malawi 2-1 in the round of 16.[60] They were eliminated in the quarter-final after a 2-1 loss against Egypt.[61]

As of 22 September 2022[66]

Managers
Name	Nationality	Years as manager	Trophy won	World Cup	Africa Cup
Larbi Benbarek		1957	-	-	-
Mohammed Khamirib & Abdelkader Lokhmiri		1959	-	-	-
Larbi Benbarek		1960	-	-	-
Kader Firoud		1961	-	-	-
Mohammed Massoun & Abderrahmane Mahjoub		1961–1967	-	-	-
Guy Cluzeau & Abdellah Settati		1968–1969	-	-	-
Blagoja Vidinić		1970	-	1970 (GS)	-
José Barinaga		1971–1972	-	-	1972 (GS)
Abderrahmane Mahjoub		1972–1973	-	-	-
Virgil Mărdărescu		1974–1978	1976 African Cup of Nations	-	1976 (W) - 1978 (GS)
Guy Cluzeau		1979	-	-	-
Just Fontaine		1979–1980	-	-	-
Jebrane & Yabram Hamidouch		1980–1981	-	-	1980 (3RD)
Abdellah El-Ammari		1982	-	-	-
Jaime Valente		1983	-	-	-
Mehdi Faria		1983–1988	-	1986 (R16)	1986 (4TH) - 1988 (4TH)
Jaime Valente		1988–1989	-	-	-
Antonio Valentín		1989–1990	-	-	-
Abdellah Ajri Blinda		1990	-	-	-
Werner Olk		1990–1992	-	-	1992 (GS)
Mohamed Ellouzani		1992–1994	-	-	-
Abdellah Ajri Blinda		1993–1994	-	1994 (GS)	-
Mohammed Lamari		1994	-	-	-
Gílson Nunes		1995	-	-	-
Henri Michel		1995–2000	-	1998 (GS)	1998 (QF) - 2000 (GS)
Henryk Kasperczak		2000	-	-	-
Humberto Coelho		2000–2002	-	-	2002 (GS)
Badou Ezzaki		2002–2005	-	-	2004 (F)
Philippe Troussier		2005	-	-	-
Mohamed Fakhir		2006–2007	-	-	2006 (GS)
Henri Michel		2007–2008	-	-	2008 (GS)
Fathi Jamal		2008	-	-	-
Roger Lemerre		2008–2009	-	-	-
Hassan Moumen (caretaker)		2009–2010	-	-	-
Eric Gerets		2010–2012	-	-	2012 (GS)
Rachid Taoussi		2012–2013	-	-	2013 (GS)
Hassan Benabicha (caretaker)		2013–2014	-	-	-
Badou Ezzaki[67]		2014–2016	-	-	-
Hervé Renard[68]		2016–2019	-	2018 (GS)	2017 (QF) - 2019 (R16)
Vahid Halilhodžić[69]		2019–2022	-	-	2021 (QF)
Walid Regragui[70]		2022–	-	-	-

The following players were called up for the friendly matches against Chile and Paraguay in 23 and 27 September 2022, respectively.[71]

Caps and goals are correct as of 27 September 2022, after the match against Paraguay.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Yassine Bounou (vice-captain)	(1991-04-05) 5 April 1991	45	0	Sevilla
12	1GK	Munir Mohamedi	(1989-05-10) 10 May 1989	43	0	Al Wehda
22	1GK	Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti	(1996-04-05) 5 April 1996	3	0	Wydad AC
	1GK	Anas Zniti	(1988-10-28) 28 October 1988	5	0	Raja CA
2	2DF	Achraf Hakimi	(1998-11-04) 4 November 1998	53	8	Paris Saint-Germain
3	2DF	Noussair Mazraoui	(1997-11-14) 14 November 1997	14	2	Bayern Munich
5	2DF	Jawad El Yamiq	(1992-02-29) 29 February 1992	11	2	Valladolid
6	2DF	Romain Saïss (captain)	(1990-03-26) 26 March 1990	65	1	Beşiktaş
20	2DF	Achraf Dari	(1999-05-06) 6 May 1999	4	0	Stade Brest
24	2DF	Samy Mmaee	(1996-09-08) 8 September 1996	10	0	Ferencváros
26	2DF	Yahia Attiyat Allah	(1995-03-02) 2 March 1995	1	0	Wydad AC
	2DF	Badr Benoun	(1993-09-30) 30 September 1993	3	0	Qatar SC
	2DF	Fahd Moufi[72]	(1996-05-05) 5 May 1996	0	0	Portimonense
4	3MF	Sofyan Amrabat	(1996-08-21) 21 August 1996	38	0	Fiorentina
8	3MF	Azzedine Ounahi	(2000-04-19) 19 April 2000	9	2	Angers
10	3MF	Younès Belhanda	(1990-02-25) 25 February 1990	59	5	Adana Demirspor
11	3MF	Abdelhamid Sabiri	(1996-11-28) 28 November 1996	2	1	Sampdoria
13	3MF	Ilias Chair	(1997-10-30) 30 October 1997	10	1	Queens Park Rangers
15	3MF	Selim Amallah	(1996-11-15) 15 November 1996	23	4	Standard Liège
18	3MF	Amine Harit	(1997-06-18) 18 June 1997	16	0	Marseille
25	3MF	Yahya Jabrane	(1991-06-18) 18 June 1991	4	0	Wydad AC
7	4FW	Hakim Ziyech	(1993-03-19) 19 March 1993	42	17	Chelsea
9	4FW	Munir El Haddadi	(1995-09-01) 1 September 1995	11	2	Getafe
14	4FW	Zakaria Aboukhlal	(2000-02-18) 18 February 2000	12	2	Toulouse
16	4FW	Abde Ezzalzouli	(2001-12-17) 17 December 2001	2	0	Osasuna
17	4FW	Sofiane Boufal	(1993-09-17) 17 September 1993	31	5	Angers
19	4FW	Youssef En-Nesyri	(1997-06-01) 1 June 1997	49	14	Sevilla
21	4FW	Walid Cheddira	(1998-01-22) 22 January 1998	2	0	Bari
23	4FW	Ryan Mmaee	(1997-11-01) 1 November 1997	13	4	Ferencvárosi
	4FW	Ayoub El Kaabi	(1993-06-25) 25 June 1993	23	8	Hatayspor
	4FW	Soufiane Rahimi	(1996-03-23) 23 March 1996	6	0	Al-Ain

The following players have been called up for the team in the last 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
DF	Hamza El Moussaoui[72]	(1993-04-07) 7 April 1993	0	0	RS Berkane	v.  Chile, 23 September 2022 INJ
DF	Sofiane Alakouch	(1998-07-29) 29 July 1998	4	0	Metz	v.  Liberia, 13 June 2022
DF	Sofian Chakla	(1993-09-02) 2 September 1993	4	0	OH Leuven	v.  Liberia, 13 June 2022
DF	Mohamed Chibi	(1993-01-21) 21 January 1993	1	0	Pyramids	v.  Liberia, 13 June 2022
DF	Adam Masina	(1994-01-02) 2 January 1994	16	0	Udinese	v.  Liberia, 13 June 2022 INJ
DF	Nayef Aguerd	(1996-03-30) 30 March 1996	21	1	West Ham	v.  Liberia, 13 June 2022 INJ
DF	Souffian El Karouani	(2000-10-19) 19 October 2000	3	0	NEC	2021 Africa Cup of Nations
MF	Fayçal Fajr	(1988-08-01) 1 August 1988	51	4	Al Wehda	v.  Liberia, 13 June 2022
MF	Aymen Barkok	(1998-05-21) 21 May 1998	18	1	Mainz 05	v.  Liberia, 13 June 2022
MF	Adel Taarabt	(1989-05-24) 24 May 1989	30	4	Al-Nasr	v.  Liberia, 13 June 2022
MF	Imran Louza	(1999-05-01) 1 May 1999	11	2	Watford	v.  DR Congo, 29 March 2022 INJ
MF	Youssef Maleh	(1998-08-28) 28 August 1998	0	0	Fiorentina	v.  Guinea, 16 November 2021
FW	Tarik Tissoudali	(1993-04-02) 2 April 1993	9	2	Gent	v.  Liberia, 13 June 2022 INJ
FW	Achraf Bencharki	(1994-09-24) 24 September 1994	11	0	Al Jazira	2021 Africa Cup of Nations
DEC Player declined the call-up to the squad INJ Did not make it to the current squad due to injury PRE Preliminary squad / standby RET Player retired from internationals SUS Player is suspended WD Player withdrew from the roster for non-injury related reasons

Morocco's national football team has participated six times in the FIFA World Cup. Their best performance was the 1986 edition when they advanced to the second round, being the first African nation to do so. In 1998, the team narrowly missed repeating the same achievement.

FIFA World Cup record										FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930	Part of  France									Part of  France
1934
1938
1950
1954
1958	Did not enter									Did not enter
1962	Did not qualify									7	2	2	3	7	8
1966	Withdrew									Withdrew
1970	Group stage	14th	3	0	1	2	2	6		10	4	4	2	11	7
1974	Did not qualify									10	4	3	3	12	13
1978										2	0	2	0	2	2
1982										8	3	2	3	5	6
1986	Round of 16	11th	4	1	2	1	3	2		8	5	2	1	12	1
1990	Did not qualify									6	1	3	2	4	5
1994	Group stage	23rd	3	0	0	3	2	5		10	7	2	1	19	4
1998		18th	3	1	1	1	5	5		6	5	1	0	14	2
2002	Did not qualify									10	6	3	1	11	3
2006										10	5	5	0	17	7
2010										10	3	3	4	14	13
2014										6	2	3	1	9	8
2018	Group stage	27th	3	0	1	2	2	4		8	4	3	1	13	1
2022	Qualified									8	7	1	0	25	3
2026	To be determined									To be determined
Total	Round of 16	6/22	16	2	5	9	14	22		119	58	39	22	175	83

Morocco's World Cup record
First Match	Morocco 1–2 West Germany  (León, Mexico; 3 June 1970)
Biggest Win	Morocco 3–0 Scotland  (Saint-Étienne, France; 23 June 1998)
Biggest Defeat	Brazil 3–0 Morocco  (Nantes, France; 16 June 1998)
Best Result	Round of 16 (1986)
Worst Result	Group stage (1970, 1994, 1998, 2018)

Summer Olympics
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1908–1960	Part of France
1960	Did not qualify
1964	Round 1	13	2	0	0	2	1	9
1968	Qualified, but withdrew
1972	Round 2	8	6	1	1	4	7	14
1976	Did not qualify
1980
1984	Round 1	12	3	1	0	2	1	4
1988	Did not qualify
Since 1992	See Morocco national under-23 football team
Total	Round 2	7/26	23	3	5	15	17	48

• Football at the Summer Olympics has been an under-23 tournament since the 1992 edition.

All-Africa Games
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1965	Did not enter
1973
1978
1987
1991
1995
1999
2003
2007
2011
2015
2019	Group stage	5th	3	1	1	1	3	4
2023	To be determined
All Total	Group stage	1/12	3	1	1	1	3	4

• Prior to the Cairo 1991 campaign, the Football at the All-Africa Games was open to full senior national teams.

1951 to 1987 senior teams, from 1991 youth teams.

Mediterranean Games
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1951	Did not enter
1955
1959
1963	Fourth Place	4th	4	2	0	2	4	6
1967	Group stage	7th	3	1	0	2	4	6
1971	Disqualified
1975	Fourth Place	4th	5	1	4	0	3	2
1979	Group stage	6th	3	0	2	1	2	3
1983	Gold Medal	1st	4	3	1	0	8	2
1987	Group stage	5th	3	1	1	1	2	2
Since 1991	See Morocco national under-23 football team or Morocco national under-20 football team
Total	2 Title	7/10	22	8	8	6	23	21