Morocco's World Cup Path: Potential Scenarios for Round of 32 Qualification

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) conducted the draw for the 2026 World Cup this Friday evening in Washington D.C., placing the Moroccan national team in Group C alongside Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland.

For the first time in the tournament's history, the knockout stage will commence from the Round of 32, rather than the Round of 16. FIFA decided to expand the number of participating teams to 48 for the upcoming edition. Qualification for the knockout phase will include the top two teams from each group (24 teams) and the eight best third-placed teams.

Below are the potential scenarios for the Moroccan national team should they successfully qualify for the Round of 32.

If Morocco qualifies as group winners, they will face the second-placed team from Group F, which includes the Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, and the winner of European Playoff B.

Should the "Atlas Lions" finish second in their group, they would then play the winner of Group F (Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, or the winner of European Playoff B).

If the Moroccan national team finishes third in their group and qualifies as one of the eight best third-placed teams, they could face:

The winner of Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador.

OR the winner of Group I: France, Senegal, the winner of Iraq/Bolivia vs. Suriname, Norway.

OR the winner of Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, the winner of Denmark vs. North Macedonia / Czech Republic vs. Ireland.