The Moroccan national football team, known as the Atlas Lions, is preparing for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers under exceptional circumstances following a Confederation of African Football (CAF) decision. An analysis this week provided a detailed look at the team's chances in Group A, which includes Gabon, Niger, and Lesotho.
In March 2026, the CAF Appeal Board made the decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to the Moroccan national team. This decision is still under appeal, with Senegal scheduled to hear their case on the matter in October 2026.
Mohamed Ouahbi took over as head coach of the senior team just a few weeks prior, replacing the previous manager. Ouahbi previously led the Moroccan youth team to victory in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, giving him valuable experience in handling emerging talents. Commenting on the group stage challenges, Ouahbi said: "having knowledge of the opposition would assist." His first task will be the qualifying matches scheduled between September 2026 and March 2027, where fans can track the team's progress on our fixtures page.
The qualifying draw placed Morocco in a group that appears balanced but presents specific challenges. Gabon is considered the toughest opponent in the group due to their standout individual players. Morocco has faced most of the group's teams in recent periods, providing some insight into the nature of the upcoming fixtures. These qualifiers come on the heels of a strong World Cup 2026 performance, where Morocco advanced from their group, beat Canada and the Netherlands on penalties, before being eliminated by France 2-0 on July 9, 2026.
The analysis identified several areas the team needs to work on to ensure qualification. Controlling the midfield is a priority, along with effectively managing the forward runs of veteran full-back Achraf Hakimi, who remains a key part of the squad. Giving more minutes to younger attackers will help develop offensive options. Working on set-pieces (free kicks and corners) could be decisive in tight matches. The team's form in their last 5 matches shows 1 win, 2 draws, and 2 losses (LLWDD), including two consecutive losses.
Moroccan fans are eagerly awaiting the qualifiers, as football matches serve as major social occasions combining food, drink, and competition. Sports bars and local events see significant celebrations during games, often featuring specially themed beverages. This atmosphere will support the team on their journey toward the final tournament, scheduled to be held in East Africa in 2027. Followers can check the latest team statistics on our stats page and monitor squad development via the current squad list.
The Moroccan national team begins its qualifying campaign carrying the title of 2025 African champions by decision, but must prove its worth on the pitch. Their World Cup performance, despite the exit against France, demonstrated the team's ability to compete at the highest level. The task now is to translate that performance into consistent results in African qualifiers and leverage the experience of players like Azzedine Ounahi and Achraf Hakimi to lead a new generation.
