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World Cup Feature – Can Morocco repeat their 2022 heroics?

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Morocco celebrate a goal during the 2022 FIFA World Cup

by
Staff Reporter

Saturday Jun 06, 2026. 13:00

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Following an historic semi-final placing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Morocco will once again be placed under immense pressure heading into this year’s showpiece. Here’s a look at the key factors into how Morocco could have a successful World Cup campaign once more.

WC qualification, recent form sheet

The ‘Atlas Lions’, as they’re fondly known, became the first nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. During their CAF qualification phase, Morocco boasted a perfect record in Group E by claiming eight wins in eight matches, including a mammoth 5-0 win over Niger on 5 September 2025.

The popular African nation also managed to score 22 goals while conceding just twice as they raced to 24 points in eight matches, signalling their status as one of the most feared nations on the African continent. In addition to their success during the last couple of years, Morocco will go into the tournament as African champions along with recording three wins and one draw in their last four encounters.

Big match temperament

It’s fair to say that Morocco have been thoroughly tested at the highest level of international football, an aspect that will go long in their way of rewriting history.

While Morocco eliminated tournament favourites Spain and Portugal at the 2022 World Cup, the Atlas Lions also recorded a memorable 2-0 win over Belgium in the group stage. Having crossed out major names before, Morocco will have the added confidence to take on top level opponents yet again.

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Spine of the team remains

All of the above makes for a nation that is currently battle tested among the world’s elite. Largely considered as a serious dark horse for the upcoming showpiece, Morocco will also enter the World Cup with the spine of their big name players intact.

The likes of Achraf Hakimi, Yassine Bounou, Sofyan Amrabat, Brahim Diaz and Noussair Mazraoui have all played a major role in Morocco’s earnings during the last couple of years as they form the embryo of the squad with elite experience under their belt.

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Ludek Miklosko: Ex-West Ham goalkeeper dies aged 64

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Ludek Miklosko wearing a West Ham scarf and waving

Former West Ham, QPR and Czech Republic goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko has died at the age of 64.

Miklosko made almost 400 appearances for the Hammers from 1990 to 1998 and was much loved by supporters, who regularly sang his name long after he left the club.

He later returned as a goalkeeping coach.

Miklosko withdrew from cancer treatment in December 2024, three years after his diagnosis.

Days later he returned to West Ham’s London Stadium for a Premier League match against Liverpool to a hero’s reception.

A West Ham statement read: “It is with deep and profound sadness that West Ham United announces the passing of legendary former goalkeeper and coach, Luděk Miklosko.

“Rest in peace Ludek, our beloved, inspirational goalkeeper and gentle giant of a man.”

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More to follow.

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US Open 2026 results: Alexander Zverev beats Ben Shelton for second Grand Slam title

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Alexander Zverev celebrates with the US Open trophy

Going into the 2026 season, few people would have backed Zverev to win two Grand Slam tournaments, with the German having already lost three major finals in a career which looked in danger of not living up to expectation.

But injuries to his biggest rivals – Alcaraz missing the French Open and Wimbledon, with Sinner ruled out of the US Open – opened the door for Zverev.

A below-par Zverev scraped through the opening rounds at Flushing Meadows in a series of early-morning finishes, but he gradually improved over a fortnight where he did not play a top-20 opponent until Shelton.

Zverev had not lost to Shelton in their five previous meetings and immediately capitalised on a nervy start by his opponent.

Shelton double-faulted on break point in the first game of the match, handing over the type of initiative that opponents often struggle to wrestle back from Zverev.

Through the strength of his first serve, and his ability to unpick Shelton’s weaker backhand in the baseline exchanges, Zverev rolled through the opening set and clinched it when Shelton hit another double fault on set point.

Zverev continued to patiently draw mistakes from Shelton in the second set, but without being gifted a break when his only opportunity arrived in the fourth game.

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He instead showed why he has a strong tie-break record with another nerveless display and, unlike in the 2020 US Open final when he lost from a two-set lead, kept his composure in the pressure moments to secure a commanding victory.

Addressing his team which is led by his father Alexander senior and brother Mischa, Zverev said: “We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title and now won two in the span of three months.

“I think God has seen how hard we have worked, how hard we have suffered and how much pain we went through.

“I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before.”

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Erling Haaland goal: Was Haaland’s derby winner a VAR error?

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Erling Haaland scores for Man City

With Haaland’s goal settling the match, United were unsurprisingly disappointed by the decision.

“I think it was offside,” said Martinez. “And what I can’t understand is the rules. I want to be calm now, I want to control myself.

“It’s so hard because you lose a derby, you lose three points at home, and every season they’re [referees] coming to our club, they explain for one hour the rules, and they look so confident with that, and then after [there are] five or six people doing these kind of mistakes in the Premier League – it’s unacceptable.

“It’s the best league in the world, you have the best teams in the world, the best players in the world, and now we have to go home with this injustice.”

United boss Carrick also expressed his confusion.

“We put things in place in the game now, we have people in offices with all the screens for this decision,” he said.

“It’s more worrying about if that’s the interpretation of football now. If that’s the interpretation of not interfering in the game now, that’s really worrying for me. It’s a staggering explanation.

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“The decision isn’t going to change the season, but it’s had a major impact on the game.”

Wayne Rooney, part of the BBC’s MOTD2 team, said: “Surely it’s offside. Martinez is impacted by Fernandez’s movement, and he is offside.”

Gary Neville said on Sky Sports: “I think we’ll see some sort of apology from the referee’s association, there’s no doubt Fernandez is playing that ball and is trying to put off Martinez. I think it’s one they’ll recognising they got wrong.”

Micah Richards added: “I think it’s been a bad day for referees. They got the Foden decision wrong and the Fernandez decision wrong. I think they got it so wrong but I don’t think it takes anything away from City’s performance.”

Meanwhile, City boss Maresca said: “I think it was onside clearly so it’s good.”

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