Morocco Exits World Cup After 0-2 Loss to France Amid Mixed Reactions

Morocco's national football team, known as the Atlas Lions, was eliminated from the current World Cup following a 0-2 defeat to France on July 9, 2026. The team entered the match with strong momentum, having remained unbeaten for 34 games, but ultimately fell short against a clearly superior French side. This match marked only the sixth senior game for Morocco's coach, Mohammed Wahbi, who took over from Walid Regragui.

The Moroccan media expressed a blend of praise and disappointment after the loss. Renowned Moroccan journalist Hanif Ben Barkana commented that the challenge was too great for Morocco, noting the team still lacks a small but crucial element to compete at the highest level globally. He also highlighted the difficulty of constantly having to adjust tactics before major matches due to numerous injuries.

Le360 Sport acknowledged the exceptional performance of goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who excelled for over an hour, but emphasized that France was clearly the better team. The defeat ended Morocco's hopes in the tournament, contrasting with their Cinderella run in the previous World Cup in Qatar. The team and fans now look ahead to the 2026 World Cup with lessons learned from this campaign.