Morocco national football team

The Morocco national football team (Arabic: منتخب المغرب لكرة القدم‎, Tamazight: ⵜⴰⵔⴰⴱⴱⵓⵓⵜ ⴰⵏⴰⵎⵓⵔ ⵏ ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ). Nicknamed as The Atlas Lions,[4] represents Morocco in men's international football competitions and it is controlled by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, also known as FRMF. The team represents both FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF). It is often considered as one of the strongest national teams in Africa History, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest African teams of all time.

Morocco
Nickname(s)The Atlas Lions
AssociationRoyal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationUNAF (North Africa)
Head coachVahid Halilhodžić
CaptainRomain Saïss
Most capsNoureddine Naybet (115)[1]
Top scorerAhmed Faras (36)[1]
Home stadiumVarious
FIFA codeMAR
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 35 (10 December 2020)[2]
Highest10 (April 1998 ,18 Mar 1998,18 Feb 1997 [3])
Lowest78 (September 2010)
First international
 Morocco 3–3 Iraq 
(Beirut, Lebanon; 19 October 1957)
Biggest win
 Morocco 13–1 Saudi Arabia 
(Casablanca, Morocco; 6 September 1961)
Biggest defeat
 Hungary 6–0 Morocco 
(Tokyo, Japan; 11 October 1964)
World Cup
Appearances5 (first in 1970)
Best resultRound of 16 (1986)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances17 (first in 1972)
Best resultChampions (1976)
African Nations Championship
Appearances3 (first in 2014)
Best resultChampions (2018)

They were considered as one of the best African teams after they ranked 10th in the FIFA World Rankings in April 1998, and are also the only team to have been at the top of the African national team in the FIFA World Rankings History for three consecutive years from 1997 to 1999. Internationally, they have participated in the FIFA World Cup 5 times. Their best result being in 1986 after they reached the round of 16, becoming the first African national team in History to progress to the round of 16. The Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to finish top of a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of England, Portugal and Poland. They were also the first African national team in the football history to make it to the round of 16, narrowly losing to eventual runners-up West Germany 1–0 in 1986.

History

Pre-independence period

The selection of Morocco was created in 1928 and played its first game on 22 December of that year against the B team of France, from which it was defeated by 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 selections such as those of the Football League of Algeria, the Football League of Oran, the Football League of Costantinia and the Tunisia Football League. 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, 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 a selection of Moroccans, Algerians and Tunisians challenged the national team of France at the Paris Princes Park. Led by star Larbi Benbarek, the Maghreb selection managed to win by 3–2, a month before the Toissant rouge attacks made in November 1954 by the Algerian National Liberation Front which marked the beginning of the Algerian war.

The beginnings of Morocco (1955–1963)

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 the national of an independent country against Iraq, at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, and drew 3–3. In the tournament the Moroccan team obtained the first victory of its history against Libya, with the result of 5–1, to then beat Tunisia 3–1 and gain access to the semifinal. Morocco finished in first place the group 1 of the competition, in which the path of the North African formation ended just in the semifinals, against Syria, on 26 October 1957, despite the 1–1 draw, it was the Syrians who passed the round and qualified for the final.

From 1957 to 1958, Morocco held numerous friendly meetings against the National Liberation Front team, the representative of Algeria before its independence in 1958. In 1959, they took part for the first time in an international competition, the preliminary rounds of the Rome Olympics 1960. He finished second in a group of three teams, behind Tunisia, but only for an unfavorable goal difference. In the same year the football federation of Morocco joined the FIFA.

In 1960, Morocco made their debut in the 1962 FIFA World Cup qualification, to be held in Chile. Inserted in group 2 of the African qualifications, it saw itself again against Tunisia. After two games ended with a win per side (2–1 for the Moroccans and 2–1 for the Tunisians), on 22 January 1961 a play-off match was played in Palermo, which ended in a tie (1–1). Morocco proceeded with the winning of a coin toss. Having defeated Ghana in the CAF Final Round, the Moroccan players gained access to the last qualifying round, against Spain, which eliminated Morocco with two victories (1–0 and 3–2).

In 1961, Morocco faced for the first time two European national teams, Yugoslavia and East Germany, and played the Pan-Arab Games in Casablanca, participating in the group of six teams and winning it. On 6 September 1961, Morocco won the largest victory in his history against Saudi Arabia (13–1). They also had two wins against a European team, an unprecedented event, beating East Germany 2–1 and 2–0.

In 1963, the Moroccan team came close to qualifying for the African Cup. 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.

First appearances in international competitions (1963–1976)

Morocco participated for the first time in the final phase of an international competition at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Having obtained the qualification under the leadership of the selector Mohamed Massoun, the Moroccans were included in a group of three teams due to the renunciation of North Korea and they recorded two consecutive defeats, against Hungary (6–0, the worst defeat ever of Morocco) and Yugoslavia (3–1, despite the initial advantage, scored in the second minute of play by 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.

At the Mediterranean Games in Tunis 1967, the Moroccans were eliminated in the first round, finishing fourth in the group with Italy, France and Algeria.

Qualifying for the 1968 Olympics, Morocco refused to play against Israel, and eventually were 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 (at 1934 FIFA World Cup in Italy, Egypt was the first African national team to take part in the World Cup, but without having played the qualifications before). 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 game of 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.

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 white-neat draw 0–0 with the United States, then lost 3–0 against West Germany and defeated Malaysia 6–0 with an Ahmed Faras hat-trick, qualifying for the second round. Due to defeats against USSR (3–0), Denmark (3–1) and Poland (5–0), they were then eliminated.

In the 1974 world championship qualifiers, Morocco passed three CAF qualifying rounds, entering the final round with Zambia and Zaire. Badly beaten 4–0 at home by Zaire, who then won two consecutive matches against Zambia, the Moroccans went to Zaire for the return match and lost there 3–0, conceding three goals in the second half, after Faras leaving the field due to injury. Morocco filed an appeal, trying to get the match to play again, and did not appear at the final challenge against Zambia. Protesting against FIFA in protest, he also decided not to take part in the 1974 Africa Cup of Nations.

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.

Between successes and defeats (1976–1986)

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 (Mustapha 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 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.

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. They then won the 1983 Mediterranean Games, played at home, thanks to a 3–0 success in the final against Turkey B.

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).

Golden Generation (1986–2000)

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 teams and a 3–1 win against the Portuguese (Abderrazak Khairi scored twice and goals from Abdelkrim Merry Krimau). 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.

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), 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, but by the time the qualifying seemed to have been achieved, they were overtaken in the standings by Norway, who was incredibly strong on Brazil (2–1) scoring the decisive goal in the last minutes of the game, thanks to a much discussed penalty.

At the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations, after winning their group, Morocco were defeated and eliminated from South Africa (2–1). They failed to qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Difficult years (2006–2016)

In 2012, the national team won the 2012 Arab Nations Cup, a tournament reserved for Arab national teams with a team made up only of players playing in the Moroccan championship.

Ascent (2016–Present)

The national team won the championship of African nations in 2018, a tournament reserved for African national teams with a team formed only by players playing in the Moroccan championship. Back to participate in the final phase of a World Cup after 20 years, in 2018 FIFA World Cup, Morocco went out in the first round, after two 0–1 defeats against Iran and Portugal. In the last match against Spain they took the lead 2–1 but was unable to keep it, and drew 2–2, ultimately managed to eliminate Iran as well. Morocco entered the 2019 AFCON with high confidence, having played the previous World Cup. However, in spite of three straight group stage wins, Morocco was shockingly knocked out by less known Benin in the round of sixteen.

Home stadium

Morocco traditionally play their home games at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat and the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca as the main stadiums during their World Cup qualifiers, but they have recently used the new stadiums Stade de Marrakech in Marrakech, also the Stade Adrar in Agadir, Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangier and Fez Stadium in Fez.

Results and fixtures
Main article: Morocco national football team results
Main article: Morocco national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2020
9 October Friendly Morocco  3–1  Senegal Rabat, Morocco
19:00 (UTC+1) Amallah  10'
En-Nesyri  71'
El-Arabi  86'		 Report I. Sarr  88' (pen.) Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Mahamadou Kéïta (Mali)
13 October Friendly Morocco  1–1  DR Congo Rabat, Morocco
19:00 (UTC+1) Mazraoui  45' Report Wissa  60' Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Alioune Sow Sandigui (Senegal)
13 November 2021 AFCONQ Morocco  4–1  Central African Republic Casablanca, Morocco
20:00 (UTC+1) Hakimi  10'
Ziyech  31' (pen.), 34'
Aboukhlal  64'		 Report Mafouta  25' Stadium: Stade Mohammed V
Attendance: 0
Referee: Boubou Traoré (Mali)
Note: The match, originally scheduled for 27 March 2020 , was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
17 November 2021 AFCONQ Central African Republic  0–2  Morocco Douala, Cameroon
17:00 (UTC+1) Report Ziyech  39'
En-Nesyri  90+1'		 Stadium: Stade de la Réunification
Attendance: 0
Referee: Eric Otogo-Castane (Gabon)
Note: The match, originally scheduled for 31 March 2020 , was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Current team status

2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
Main article: 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group E
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Morocco 4 3 1 0 9 1 +8 10 Qualify for final tournament — 0–0 30 Mar 4–1
2  Mauritania 4 1 2 1 4 4 0 5 22 Mar — 1–1 2–0
3  Burundi 4 1 1 2 4 7 −3 4 0–3 3–1 — 22 Mar
4  Central African Republic 4 1 0 3 3 8 −5 3 0–2 30 Mar 2–0 —
Updated to match(es) played on 17 November 2020. Source: CAF

2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
Main article: 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Second Round

Group I
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Morocco 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to third round — TBD TBD TBD
2  Guinea 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TBD — TBD TBD
3  Guinea-Bissau 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TBD TBD — TBD
4  Sudan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TBD TBD TBD —
First match(es) will be played on June 2021. Source: FIFA

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Central African Republic on 13 and 17 November 2020.[5]
Caps and goals are correct as of 17 November 2020, after the match against Central African Republic.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Yassine Bounou (1991-04-05) 5 April 1991 25 0 Sevilla
12 1GK Munir Mohamedi (1989-05-10) 10 May 1989 39 0 Hatayspor
22 1GK Hicham El Majhad (1991-04-09) 9 April 1991 0 0 Ittihad Tanger
2 2DF Achraf Hakimi (1998-11-04) 4 November 1998 32 3 Internazionale
3 2DF Hamza Mendyl (1997-10-21) 21 October 1997 20 0 Schalke 04
4 2DF Zouhair Feddal (1989-01-01) 1 January 1989 17 1 Sporting CP
5 2DF Nayef Aguerd (1996-03-30) 30 March 1996 4 0 Rennes
6 2DF Romain Saïss (Captain) (1990-03-26) 26 March 1990 42 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
13 2DF Issam Chebake (1989-10-12) 12 October 1989 7 0 Malatyaspor
14 2DF Noussair Mazraoui (1997-11-14) 14 November 1997 12 2 Ajax
23 2DF Samy Mmaee (1996-09-08) 8 September 1996 4 0 Ferencváros
2DF Jawad El Yamiq (1992-02-29) 29 February 1992 8 1 Valladolid
7 3MF Hakim Ziyech (1993-03-19) 19 March 1993 37 17 Chelsea
8 3MF Adel Taarabt (1989-05-24) 24 May 1989 25 4 Benfica
11 3MF Fayçal Fajr (1988-08-01) 1 August 1988 39 3 Sivasspor
16 3MF Aymen Barkok (1998-05-21) 21 May 1998 4 0 Eintracht Frankfurt
18 3MF Nassim Boujellab (1999-06-20) 20 June 1999 3 0 Schalke 04
20 3MF Sofyan Amrabat (1996-08-21) 21 August 1996 18 0 Fiorentina
3MF Selim Amallah (1996-11-15) 15 November 1996 4 1 Standard Liège
9 4FW Youssef El-Arabi (1987-02-03) 3 February 1987 45 16 Olympiacos
10 4FW Amine Harit (1997-06-18) 18 June 1997 11 0 Schalke 04
15 4FW Zakaria Aboukhlal (2000-02-18) 18 February 2000 2 1 AZ
17 4FW Achraf Bencharki (1994-09-24) 24 September 1994 5 0 Zamalek
19 4FW Youssef En-Nesyri (1997-06-01) 1 June 1997 35 12 Sevilla
21 4FW Zakaria Labyad [6] (1993-03-09) 9 March 1993 6 0 Ajax
4FW Soufiane Rahimi (1996-03-23) 23 March 1996 0 0 Raja Casablanca

Recent call-ups

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
GK Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (1996-04-05) 5 April 1996 3 0 Wydad Casablanca v.  DR Congo, 13 October 2020
GK Anas Zniti (1988-10-28) 28 October 1988 2 0 Raja Casablanca v.  DR Congo, 13 October 2020
DF Yunis Abdelhamid (1987-09-28) 28 September 1987 11 0 Reims v.  Senegal, 9 October 2020
DF Achraf Lazaar (1992-01-22) 22 January 1992 11 0 Newcastle United v.  Senegal, 9 October 2020
DF Sofian Chakla (1993-09-02) 2 September 1993 0 0 Villarreal v.  Senegal, 9 October 2020
DF Nabil Dirar (1986-02-25) 25 February 1986 41 3 Fenerbahçe v.  Senegal, 9 October 2020 INJ
MF Omar El Kaddouri (1990-08-21) 21 August 1990 28 5 PAOK v.  Senegal, 9 October 2020
MF Oussama Tannane (1994-03-23) 23 March 1994 11 2 Vitesse v.  Senegal, 9 October 2020
MF Dries Saddiki (1996-08-09) 9 August 1996 0 0 Willem II v.  Senegal, 9 October 2020
FW Moha Rharsalla (1993-09-15) 15 September 1993 1 0 Slovan Bratislava v.  Senegal, 9 October 2020
FW Munir El Haddadi* (1995-09-01) 1 September 1995 0 0 Sevilla v.  Senegal, 9 October 2020

RET Player retired from internationals
SUS Player is suspended
INJ Did not make it to the current squad due to injury
DEC Player declined the call-up to the squad
PRE Preliminary squad / standby

Previous squads

Coaching staff
Position Name
Head coach Vahid Halilhodžić[8]
Assistant coach Mustapha Hadji
Stéphane Gilli
Goalkeeping coach Mustapha Chadili
Laurent Weber
Fitness coach Salaheddine Lahlou
Christophe Manouvrier
Video Analyst Moussa El Habchi
Technical director Osian Roberts[9] Technical director Badou Ezzaki

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup
Main article: Morocco at the FIFA World Cup

Morocco's national football team has participated five 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
1930Part of  France Part of  France
1934
1938
1950
1954
1958did 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
1974Did 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
2002Did 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
2022To be determined
2026To be determined
Total Round of 16 5/21 16 2 5 9 14 22 116 53 41 22 159 80

Africa Cup of Nations
Main article: Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record Africa Cup of Nations Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1957Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
1959
1962Withdrew Withdrew
1963Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 5 6
1965Did not enter Did not enter
1968
1970Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 1 2
1972Group Stage5th303033 4 2 0 2 9 6
1974Did not enter Did not enter
1976Champions1st6420116 6 4 0 2 13 4
1978Group Stage6th311124 Qualified as defending champions
1980Third Place3rd521243 4 2 1 1 14 5
1982Did not qualify 4 3 0 1 8 4
1984 4 1 2 1 4 2
1986Fourth Place4th512245 2 1 1 0 1 0
1988Fourth Place4th513133 Qualified as hosts
1990Did not qualify 2 0 2 0 1 1
1992Group Stage9th201112 6 4 0 2 11 4
1994Did not qualify 6 2 2 2 5 4
1996 4 1 1 2 2 4
1998Quarter-finals6th421163 6 4 2 0 10 1
2000 Group stage 11th 3 1 1 1 1 2 4 2 2 0 6 4
2002 9th 3 1 1 1 3 4 6 3 1 2 5 4
2004Runner-up 2nd 6 4 1 1 14 4 6 5 1 0 10 0
2006 Group stage 13th 3 0 2 1 0 1 10 5 5 0 17 7
2008 11th 3 1 0 2 7 6 4 3 1 0 6 1
2010Did not qualify 10 3 3 4 14 13
2012 Group stage 12th 3 1 0 2 4 5 6 3 2 1 8 2
2013 10th303033 2 1 0 1 4 2
2015Disqualified Originally qualifies as hosts, then disqualified
2017Quarter-finals7th420243 6 5 1 0 10 1
2019Round of 169th431041 6 3 2 1 8 3
2021 To be determined 4 3 1 0 9 1
2023 To be determined
2025
Total 1 Title 17/32 65 24 23 18 74 58 106 56 27 23 164 77

Minor tournaments
Year Round Position GP W D* L GS GA
1965 World Military CupThird Place3rd311135
1965 Tripoli Fair TournamentThird Place3rd311121
1966 World Military CupRunner-up2nd301214
1966 Tripoli Fair TournamentWinner1st430145
1967 World Military CupThird Place3rd------
1974 Kuneitra CupWinner1st7610165
1980 Merdeka TournamentWinner1st8521157
1988 Tournoi de FranceRunner-up2nd210143
1989 World Military CupRunner-up2nd311134
1993 World Military CupRunner-up2nd5401165
1996 King Hassan II International Cup TournamentThird Place3rd211042
1998 King Hassan II International Cup TournamentThird Place3rd201123
1999 LG Cup (Morocco)Runner-up2nd210122
2000 King Hassan II International Cup TournamentRunner-up2nd210125
2002 LG Cup (Morocco)Third Place3rd211020
2002 LG Cup (Iran)Third Place3rd202011
2011 LG Cup (Morocco)Third Place3rd201112
Total3 titles17/17522613137854

Honours

Senior team
Winner: 1976
Runners-up: 2004
Third place: 1980
Champions: 2012
Champions: 2018

Awards
Winners (3 times): 1985,1986,1997

Youth and Olympic teams
Main articles: Morocco A' national football team and Morocco national under-23 football team

FIFA World Rankings History
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
30 20 14 12 13 10 11 15 16 17 38 33 36 39 39 41 67 79 61 74 73 81 75 57 40 40 41 35

Coaches

Source:[10]

Managers
Name Nationality Years as manager Trophy won World Cup Africa Cup
Larbi Ben Barek 1957 - - -
Mohammed Khamirib & Abdelkader Lokhmiri 1959 - - -
Larbi Ben Barek 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)
Abdellah Ajri Blinda 1993–1994 - 1994 (GN) -
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[11] 2014–2015 - - -
Hervé Renard[12] 2016–2019 - 2018 (GS) 2017 (QF) - 2019 (R16)
Vahid Halilhodžić[8] 2019–Present - - -

Kit suppliers
Kit provider Period
Adidas 1982–1993
Lotto 1994–1995
Stevie P 1995
Lotto 1995–1997
Puma 1998–2002
Nike 2003–2006
Puma 2007–2011
Adidas 2012–2019
Puma 2019–
Morocco national team in 2012

See also

Other football codes

Notes

    References
    1. Morocco - Record International Players
    2. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
    3. "Morocco's FIFA World Ranking April 1998". FIFA Ranking. 22 April 1998.
    4. biladi, ya (2019). "According to Hervé Renard, the Atlas Lions "can be competitive against" Argentina".
    5. "Eliminatoires CAN (3ème et 4ème journées) : les Lions de l'Atlas retenus (liste finale)" [CAN qualifiers (3rd and 4th days): Atlas Lions selected (final list)]. Royal Moroccan Football Federation. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
    6. "Eliminatoires CAN (Maroc-Centrafrique) : Zakaria Labyad appelé pour rejoindre le stage des Lions de l'Atlas" [CAN qualifiers (Morocco-Central Africa): Zakaria Labyad called to join the Atlas Lions camp]. Royal Moroccan Football Federation. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
    7. Mamrud, Roberto. "Morocco - Record International Players". RSSSF.
    8. "Morocco: FRMF to name former Fennec manager as new coach of Atlas Lions". The North Africa Post. 2 August 2019.
    9. "Osian Roberts: 'I felt I was ready for the main job' - departing Wales assistant". BBC Sport. 2 August 2019.
    10. Hassanin Mubarak. "Morocco National Team Coaches". rsssf.com. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
    11. "Morocco name former player Badou Zaki as new coach". bbc.com. BBC Sport. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
    12. "Morocco unveil Frenchman Herve Renard as coach". bbc.com. BBC Sport. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
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