By Abukar Osman - Reporter
Muqdisho (Dawan Africa) – Morocco became the final African nation to be eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after suffering a 2–0 defeat to France in the quarter-finals.
The loss also means Morocco have now been knocked out by France in two consecutive World Cups—at the semi-final stage in 2022 and in the quarter-finals this year.
The match at Boston Stadium on Thursday night offered Morocco an opportunity to avenge their defeat to France four years earlier, when Les Bleus denied them the chance to become the first African nation to reach a World Cup final. However, Morocco’s hopes of revenge were once again ended by France’s strength, pace and experience.
Match statistics showed that Morocco enjoyed slightly more possession, with 52 per cent compared to France’s 48 per cent. France, however, were far more dangerous in attack, producing 22 goal attempts, nine of which were on target. Morocco managed only five attempts, with just one testing the French goalkeeper.
The 2–0 result revived memories of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when the two nations met in the semi-finals. France also won that match 2–0, with goals from Theo Hernández and Randal Kolo Muani.
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Despite the defeat, Morocco made history in Qatar by becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup.
Four years later, Morocco once again found themselves as the last remaining team representing both Africa and the Arab world. But instead of writing another historic chapter, they were stopped by the same opponent that had ended their previous campaign—France.
Morocco’s elimination brings Africa’s journey at the 2026 World Cup to an end. The continent entered the tournament with high expectations, but after the other African teams were eliminated one by one, Morocco were left carrying the continent’s hopes alone.
Many supporters beyond Morocco viewed the Atlas Lions as representatives of the entire continent. As a result, the disappointment at the final whistle was not limited to Rabat, Casablanca or Marrakech; it was felt by football fans across Africa.