The elimination of Morocco against France (2-0) in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup has provoked many reactions in the international press. If the course of the Atlas Lions is widely praised, several media believe that the Moroccan selection has approached this poster with too much caution against Les Bleus considered superior.
According to Reuters, the game plan of Mohamed Ouahbi quickly showed its limits. The British media believe that Brahim Diaz found himself too isolated in attack and that the French midfielder, led by Adrien Rabiot and Manu Koné, took control of the game. The agency also highlights the lack of offensive effectiveness of Morocco, which framed only one shot during the entire game.
For its part, The Guardian considers that the Atlas Lions have long resisted thanks to the interventions of Yassine Bounou, before giving in under French pressure. The British daily believes that Morocco has never managed to impose its usual offensive play nor to really worry the defense of the Blues.
The Associated Press also notes the difficulties of the Moroccans to create the danger and recalls that, as in the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, France has won on the score of 2-0.
Despite the elimination, the performance of Yassine Bounou is unanimous. His penalty against Kylian Mbappé and several decisive interventions allowed Morocco to stay in the match for almost an hour.
In the Netherlands, the NOS described a French team « much too strong » for the Atlas Lions unable to take control of the game. In Spain, El País believes that the match has definitely changed after the break, while La Gazzetta dello Sport mentions a France playing « in another category », notably praising the performances of Manu Koné, Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé.
If the analyses are critical of Morocco’s performance in this quarter-final, they also highlight the status now acquired by the Atlas Lions. With two consecutive qualifiers among the world’s top eight nations, the Kingdom confirms its long-term presence at the highest level of international football, even if this elimination is a reminder that there is still a step to take in order to reach the final four of a World Cup.
