Rabat – The Moroccan national football team has officially arrived in Atlanta this Monday, gearing up for the final phase of their preparations ahead of their critical group match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Haiti. This encounter is set to take place on Wednesday, June 24, at the iconic Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the match commencing at 11 p.m. Moroccan time.
Currently, the Atlas Lions hold four points in Group C, following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Brazil in their opening match and a narrow 1-0 victory over Scotland in the subsequent round. This puts Morocco in a competitive position, sitting second in the group, level on points with Brazil but trailing behind the five-time world champions due to goal difference.
A win against Haiti will not only secure Morocco's advancement to the round of 32 but could also see them finish atop the group, contingent upon the outcome of the Brazil-Scotland match that will occur simultaneously.
Final Preparations in Atlanta
On Tuesday, the Atlas Lions will hold a pre-match press conference and their final training session at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi is expected to provide updates regarding his squad and discuss strategies for facing a Haiti team that has already been eliminated from the tournament. Despite Haiti's struggles, which included a narrow 1-0 loss to Scotland followed by a 3-0 defeat against Brazil, Ouahbi has emphasized the significance of not underestimating any opponent. Haiti's defensive organization has been commendable, as they have maintained a solid structure during both matches, despite not scoring yet in the tournament.
Ouahbi has previously highlighted the necessity for ongoing improvement, especially after Morocco's victory against Scotland. He noted that while his players displayed a more aggressive attacking approach compared to their match against Brazil, there is still a pressing need for greater efficiency in front of the goal.
First Place Still Within Reach
Currently, Brazil tops Group C, having a superior goal difference. Following their draw with Morocco, Carlo Ancelotti's squad triumphed over Haiti with a 3-0 scoreline, while Morocco's lone victory was achieved against Scotland by a slim margin. Consequently, the Atlas Lions will likely require a convincing win against Haiti, particularly if Brazil secures another victory over Scotland. Finishing first in the group could provide Morocco with a more advantageous path in the knockout stages, although potential opponents will depend on the standings in Group F.
Nevertheless, Coach Ouahbi's immediate focus remains on securing the necessary result to complete an unbeaten run in the group stage. So far, Morocco has displayed two disciplined performances, competing admirably against Brazil and dominating much of the match against Scotland, where Ismael Saibari scored the decisive goal just 71 seconds into the game. The team's defense has been robust, conceding only one goal across two matches, and the upcoming fixture against Haiti presents an opportunity to refine their attacking capabilities ahead of the knockout rounds. With both qualification and the prospect of finishing first at stake, Morocco is determined to deliver their strongest performance of the tournament in the group stage finale.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
