FIFA president Gianni Infantino says Morocco have “every reason to be confident” about competing for the World Cup, praising the country’s recent achievements and long-term investment in football.
Responding to a question on Instagram about whether Morocco could win the World Cup, Infantino pointed to the nation’s steady rise on the global stage.
“Yes, they can,” he said. “Morocco has shown that it belongs among the great nations in world football.
“After winning the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile and reaching the semi-finals of the last FIFA World Cup, the team has developed to the point of competing with the very best.
“They have every reason to be confident ahead of the biggest FIFA World Cup ever in 2026.”
Photo Credit: Infantino/Instagram
Morocco made history at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals, a run that strengthened their reputation as one of the continent’s leading football powers.
At continental level, the men’s team reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 on home soil but were beaten by Senegal, while the women’s side finished runners-up at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, losing the final to Nigeria. Morocco is also set to host the next edition of the women’s tournament in March.
Beyond senior international football, the country has enjoyed success in regional competitions, including victory at the Arab Cup, while plans for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) were later scrapped.
Infantino’s comments come amid continued investment in sport by the Moroccan government, with football development a central focus.
Recently FIFA signed an agreement with the Royal Moroccan Football Association, the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports, and OCP Group to expand the FIFA Arena initiative across the country.
FIFA signing ceremony with FRMF, Government of Morocco and OPC group. Photo Credit: FIFA/X
Under the deal, OCP Group will support the installation of 30 FIFA Arena mini-pitches nationwide, aimed at increasing access to football for young people.
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The FIFA Arena project was launched at the 75th FIFA Congress in Asunción, Paraguay, in May 2025, following a commitment made by Infantino at the International Summit on Sports for Sustainable Development in Paris in July 2024.
Morocco became the fourth African nation and the 12th worldwide to join the programme when the first FIFA Arena pitch was inaugurated in Meknes in November 2025.
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In addition to building the pitches, FIFA provides footballs, training equipment and educational materials, working alongside the FIFA Football for Schools programme to ensure the facilities are used from the outset.
