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World Cup preview: Why Morocco will shock the world this summer

By Karl Harrington

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 27, Morocco celebrate their second goal during the 2013 Orange African Cup of Nations match between South Africa and Morocco from Moses Mabhida Stadium on January 27, 2013 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Anesh Debiky / Gallo Images/Getty Images)
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 27, Morocco celebrate their second goal during the 2013 Orange African Cup of Nations match between South Africa and Morocco from Moses Mabhida Stadium on January 27, 2013 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Anesh Debiky / Gallo Images/Getty Images) /
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After falling into an ominous looking group, many have completely overlooked Morocco’s chances this World Cup; but here’s why the Atlas Lions will be quietly confident of causing an upset in Russia.

Trailblazers

This summer will see Morocco play in their first World Cup in 20 years. However, it will be their fifth time at the tournament and they have a history of smashing through African glass ceilings.

Almost 50 years ago in Mexico, Morocco claimed Africa’s first points at a World Cup after Maouhoub Ghazouani’s equalizer proved enough to claim a point against Bulgaria.

16 years later, the Atlas Lions returned to Mexico where they were drawn in a group of death alongside England, Poland and Portugal. But after two stalemates they turned over Portugal 2-1 to top the group and became the first African team to reach the knockout stages.

The next big milestone for an African nation is to get to a semi-final. Is Morocco, a team no one seems to be mentioning, really capable of such a feat?

Current team

Under the tutelage of Herve Renard, Morocco topped a tricky qualifying group without conceding a single goal.

The Moroccan defense embodies both youth and experience. Real Madrid’s 19-year-old full back Hakimi Achraf recently became the first Moroccan to win a Champions League and will start on the left; while, the venerable Mehdi Benatia will marshal the team from the center.

Benatia’s stellar form at Juventus this season more than compensated for Leonardo Bonucci’s departure and was integral to their 16 game run which surrendered just a single goal.

Both Benatia and Achraf are more than capable with the ball at their feet allowing the team to build from the back. While, Wolverhampton Wanderer’s Romain Saiss will drop back from midfield and add a latent offensive threat through his long range of passing.

Ahead of them, Mbrak Boussoufa and Nordin Amrabet will provide valuable experience; but the team’s star quality will undoubtedly come from Ajax’s Hakim Ziyech.

Ziyech has been the Eredivisie’s top assist provider on three occasions and was crowned the division’s best player last season.

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One player to look out for is Ayoub El Kaabi. The striker plays his football in the Moroccan league and recently scored a record nine goals at CHAN 2018 (an African Cup of Nations exclusively for African league players).

El Kaabi was subsequently called up by Renard and has already grabbed a couple of goals, staking his claim for a starting place in Russia.

Chances in Russia 

With the focus in group B firmly on the two Iberian teams, odds makers and pundits have completely overlooked Morocco’s chances of making any sort of impression on the tournament.

The opening fixtures see Spain face Portugal in what will be an extremely taxing affair; while Morocco play Iran.

If Morocco can duly take care of business, they will find themselves one scalp away from progressing.

Neither Spain nor Portugal will particularly look forward to taking on Renard’s side who are as defensively solid as a US military base on lock-down and will look to break at pace.

Should the Maghreb outfit escape from their group they will line up against opponents from Group A, arguably the weakest of all the groups.

The crystal ball becomes a little foggy any further than that. But the side is in good form after friendly victories against Serbia, Uzbekistan, and Slovakia; and with the tactical prowess of two time AFCON winning manager Renard they will provide stiff competition for anyone.

The Lions of the Atlas will be hungry for some World Cup success after a two decade absence, and if they can find their feet in front of goal they may just roar loud enough to make the world take notice.

Next: Three Premier League clubs who should sign Yaya Toure

How far do you think Morocco can go in this year’s World Cup?

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