Morocco Advances to World Cup Quarter-Finals, Eliminates Canada

Morocco made history by becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup quarter-finals twice, advancing to the 2026 tournament’s final eight stages under coach Azzedine Ounahi. The achievement, marked by a second-half goal from Ounahi himself, underscores a resurgence for the North African side, which has shown improved form since replacing Walid Regragui, the nation’s most successful coach. Regragui, who led Morocco to a historic World Cup semi-final in 2022, was succeeded in February amid controversy, though his legacy remains defined by a 49-game tenure with just four losses, including defeats in the 2022 semi-final to France and a third-place playoff against Croatia.

Regraggi’s departure sparked debate, particularly following Morocco’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, which the host nation may have won on appeal after a disputed refereeing decision. Critics questioned his defensive tactics, but supporters argue they reflected a pragmatic approach suited to Morocco’s style. Ounahi, tasked with building on this foundation, has overseen a team now playing with renewed confidence, though surpassing Regragui’s record remains a challenge. As Morocco advances in the World Cup, the focus shifts to whether this new era can sustain the nation’s global football prominence.