Morocco arrive at the 2026 World Cup as Africa’s highest-ranked team and as the side that reached the semi-finals four years ago in Qatar, a result that changed what Arab and African football believes is possible. Group C draws them immediately into their toughest test: five-time world champions Brazil in the opening match. How the Atlas Lions handle that fixture on June 13 will shape everything that follows.
Group C Fixtures and Schedule
All Group C matches take place between June 13 and June 24, across stadiums in the United States.
| Date | Match | Stadium | Kick-off (ET) |
| June 13 | Brazil vs. Morocco | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey | 6:00 PM |
| June 13 | Haiti vs. Scotland | Gillette Stadium, Boston | 9:00 PM |
| June 19 | Scotland vs. Morocco | Gillette Stadium, Boston | 6:00 PM |
| June 19 | Brazil vs. Haiti | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia | 9:00 PM |
| June 24 | Morocco vs. Haiti | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | 6:00 PM |
| June 24 | Scotland vs. Brazil | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami | 6:00 PM |
Group C Standings
Standings will be updated after every matchday. The top two teams, and possibly the best third-placed team, advance to the Round of 32.
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| Brazil | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Morocco | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Scotland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Haiti | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Standings will be updated after every matchday.
Morocco: Four Years On from the Semi-Finals
At Qatar 2022, Morocco became the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. They beat Spain on penalties, knocked out Portugal, and only fell to France in the last four. It was a moment that carried weight far beyond football for the Arab world. The question for 2026 is whether a new-look squad under a new coach can come anywhere close to repeating it.
The coaching change is the biggest story around Morocco heading into this tournament. Walid Regragui, who masterminded the 2022 run, resigned in March 2026, just three months before the tournament. Mohamed Ouahbi stepped up from leading the Under-20 side, a role in which he won the 2025 Under-20 World Cup, defeating Argentina in the final. This is his first senior head coaching role at any level. The jump from youth football to the World Cup stage is significant.
The squad retains nine players from the 2022 semi-final generation, including captain Achraf Hakimi and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. But some of the heroes of Qatar are absent. Youssef En-Nesyri and Sofiane Boufal both missed the final squad, and Hakim Ziyech was not selected either. The squad that travels to North America is a blend of that experienced core and younger players developed across Europe.
Key figures include Hakimi, the PSG defender and Morocco’s most experienced player with 95 caps, who is one of the best right-backs in world football. Brahim Diaz of Real Madrid provides the attacking creativity in midfield, while Sofyan Amrabat brings the combative presence that was so effective in 2022. Ayoub El Kaabi, who was Morocco’s top scorer in African qualifying, leads the attack.
Brazil: Five-Time Champions and Group C Favourites
Brazil arrive as one of the tournament favourites and the team Morocco face first, on June 13 in New Jersey. It is the group’s defining fixture and one of the most anticipated matches of the entire first round.
Brazil are five-time world champions and reached the quarter-finals at Qatar 2022 before an unexpected penalty defeat to Croatia. They come to North America determined to end a 24-year wait for a sixth title. Their squad has depth across every position and they are ranked among the top five teams in the world heading into the tournament.
The match against Morocco on the opening weekend carries enormous weight for both sides. For Brazil, it is a statement of intent in Group C. For Morocco, it is the chance to announce immediately that the spirit of 2022 survived the transition to a new coach.
Scotland: First World Cup in 28 Years
Scotland return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, ending a 28-year absence. They qualified in dramatic fashion, scoring twice in stoppage time in their final qualifier to pip Denmark to top spot in their group.
Scotland are managed by Steve Clarke, who has transformed the national team’s fortunes over several years of steady improvement. Their squad is built around players from the Premier League and Scottish Premiership, with a collective spirit that has been the hallmark of Clarke’s tenure.
Their match against Morocco on June 19 in Boston is crucial for both teams. Scotland will know that a result against the Atlas Lions is their most realistic route out of the group. Morocco will want to put the group beyond doubt before facing Haiti in the final matchday.
Haiti: World Cup Return After 52 Years
Haiti return to the World Cup for only the second time in their history, 52 years after their first and only appearance in 1974. Qualifying was a remarkable achievement; French coach Sebastien Migne managed the team without ever visiting Haiti due to the security situation in the country, playing their home matches in Curacao.
For Morocco, the final group game against Haiti in Atlanta on June 24 should be the most straightforward of the three. Both teams play simultaneously with Scotland vs. Brazil, so the standings at that point will determine how much is at stake.
Who Advances from Group C?
Brazil are the clear favourites to top the group. Their squad quality is in a different category, and the opening match against Morocco will tell us whether the Atlas Lions can truly compete with the tournament’s elite.
Second place is Morocco’s to lose. Their squad, even without some of the 2022 heroes, is stronger than Scotland’s and considerably stronger than Haiti’s. Advancing from the group is a realistic and expected outcome for the Atlas Lions.
For Morocco, the real question is not whether they advance but how far they can go. In 2022, they showed the world what was possible. With a new coach and a squad in transition, this World Cup will reveal whether that semi-final run was a peak or a foundation.
More World Cup 2026 Coverage on Livekoora
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does Morocco play at the 2026 World Cup?
Morocco play three group stage matches: against Brazil on June 13 in New Jersey, against Scotland on June 19 in Boston, and against Haiti on June 24 in Atlanta.
Which group is Morocco in at the 2026 World Cup?
Morocco are in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland and Haiti. The group stage runs from June 13 to June 24.
Who is the Morocco coach at the 2026 World Cup?
Mohamed Ouahbi was appointed after Walid Regragui resigned in March 2026. Ouahbi previously led Morocco’s Under-20 side to World Cup glory in 2025, beating Argentina in the final. This is his first senior head coaching role.
Who are the key players for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup?
Captain Achraf Hakimi of PSG leads the squad with 95 caps and is one of the best right-backs in world football. Brahim Diaz of Real Madrid provides attacking creativity, Sofyan Amrabat anchors the midfield, and Ayoub El Kaabi leads the attack after finishing as top scorer in African qualifying.
Did Hakim Ziyech make the Morocco squad for 2026?
No. Hakim Ziyech was not selected for Morocco’s 2026 World Cup squad by coach Mohamed Ouahbi. Youssef En-Nesyri and Sofiane Boufal also missed out, making this a squad with a significantly different look from the 2022 semi-final generation.
