Written with the help of artificial-intelligence tools and checked by automated controls.
This content was machine-translated from the French version.
Hossam Hassan, a former Egyptian international and well-known figure in African football, recently highlighted the importance of Morocco’s collective experience in previous World Cups. The Atlas Lions, who reached the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations and put in a remarkable performance in Qatar in 2022, are now a role model for many teams across the continent. In his view, this experience – in terms of both competitiveness and mentality – represents a major asset for the country in upcoming tournaments, particularly the 2026 World Cup.
At the 2022 World Cup, Morocco managed to overcome the challenges posed by the extreme environment and the pressure of a hostile crowd to qualify for the knockout stages. This success, often attributed to a solid defence, well-organised team play and a culture of resilience, has redefined expectations surrounding the national team. Hassan, who has managed several African national teams, believes that these achievements will enable the players to cope better with high-pressure situations – a crucial factor during such a demanding tournament as the World Cup.
At the 2022 World Cup, Morocco managed to overcome the challenges posed by the extreme environment and the pressure of a hostile crowd to qualify for the knockout stages.
For the manager, the experience of previous years has also enabled Morocco to develop a clear tactical identity. Matches against teams such as Croatia and Spain in 2022 demonstrated that defensive organisation, combined with an ability to capitalise on counter-attacks, could yield surprising results. This approach, he believes, could be adapted and refined depending on the opponents and the constraints of the 2026 tournament, when the competition will be expanded to 48 teams.
Morocco, African champions in 2022, have also benefited from the emergence of their young talents. Hassan emphasises that this generation, accustomed to playing decisive matches, is now ready to take on new challenges. The 2026 World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, will offer the Atlas Lions the opportunity to prove their maturity against an even more diverse range of international teams.
Finally, the manager stresses the importance of sporting continuity. National teams, such as Morocco, must now maintain a high standard of performance between World Cup tournaments. This requires not only rigorous preparation, but also cohesion between clubs and national teams. According to Hassan, this synergy will be crucial in ensuring that the experience gained in 2022 serves as a solid foundation for the next World Cup.
