Morocco’s dream of becoming the first African nation to win the FIFA World Cup came to an end after an uninspiring 2-0 quarter-final defeat to France.
Yet, like in Qatar 2022, the Atlas Lions leave the tournament with their heads held high and with several records that have strengthened their place in African football history.
1. Africa’s last team standing again
For the second consecutive World Cup, Morocco finished as the last African nation remaining in the tournament. They outlasted Egypt, Senegal, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, DR Congo and South Africa to carry the continent’s hopes into the quarter-finals.
2. They now own more World Cup knockout wins than every other African nation
Before Morocco’s rise, African knockout victories were spread across different countries.
With victories over:
Netherlands (Round of 32, penalties)
Canada (Round of 16)
Morocco now have four World Cup knockout victories across 2022 and 2026—equal to the combined total previously achieved by the rest of Africa’s nations.
3. Most World Cup match wins by African nations (all-time)
Morocco now stands alone as the African team with the most victories in FIFA World Cup history after their run at the 2026 tournament. Only Nigeria and Ghana come close with 6 wins.
4. First African country to reach two World Cup quarter-finals
After making history in 2022 by reaching the semi-finals, Morocco backed it up in 2026.
They became:
The first African nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals twice.
The only African side to have reached at least the quarter-finals in consecutive World Cups.
They also matched Cameroon’s record for most World Cup matches played by an African team (26) during the tournament.
5. Most goals scored by an African team in a single World Cup
Morocco finished the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 10 goals, equalling the African record for the most goals scored by a team in a single World Cup tournament, a mark previously set by Senegal.
6. All-time highest-scoring African nations in World Cup history
Following the 2026 tournament, Morocco also became the highest-scoring African nation in FIFA World Cup history. Morocco has now scored 30 World Cup goals and is closely followed by Senegal, which has 26.
