Morocco's national football team, the Atlas Lions, are set to begin their qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has placed Morocco in Group A alongside Gabon, Niger, and Lesotho, as reported by www.google.com this week.
This draw comes as the team adjusts to new leadership. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi took over just a few weeks prior to this announcement, replacing the previous manager. Ouahbi's appointment follows his successful stint guiding Morocco's youth team to victory at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, bringing valuable international tournament experience to the senior side.
What is Morocco's path in the qualifiers?
The Atlas Lions' qualifying journey will run from September 2026 to March 2027. The match against Gabon is viewed as the toughest in the group due to their roster of talented individual players. However, Morocco has recent experience playing against most of their Group A opponents, which could provide a solid foundation. This campaign follows a strong showing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the team reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by France.
Key figures like Achraf Hakimi and Azzedine Ounahi will be central to Morocco's efforts, building on their World Cup performances. Fans can track the detailed contributions of these stars on our stats page. The team currently holds 2nd place in the World Cup standings with 7 points from 3 games (2 wins, 1 draw), having scored 6 goals and conceded 3.
What is the status of the 2025 AFCON title?
In a separate but significant development, CAF's appeal board decided in March 2026 to award the title of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to Morocco. This decision remains contested, with Senegal's case regarding the ruling scheduled to be heard by CAF's appeal body in October 2026. This title, if confirmed, would be a major addition to Moroccan football's achievements.
How does recent form impact morale?
The focus on African qualifiers comes on the heels of Morocco's 2026 World Cup exit. The Atlas Lions navigated their group stage, beating Canada and the Netherlands on penalties, before a 2-0 loss to France on July 9, 2026, ended their run. The team's recent form in their last five matches (2 losses, 2 draws, 1 win) shows some inconsistency that Coach Ouahbi will aim to address.
Having lost their last two matches, the emphasis will be on rebuilding confidence and sharpness for the start of the qualifiers. Supporters can follow squad updates and player news on our squad page. Success in these qualifiers would secure Morocco's place at the 2027 AFCON finals, to be held in East Africa, offering a chance to build on their continental and global legacy.
