Stop looking at Argentina or France as the default favorites to win this World Cup. The best team in international football right now resides in North Africa, and they just proved it again in Houston.
Morocco didn't just beat Canada 3-0 to book their spot in the quarterfinals. They dismantled a highly aggressive co-host while barely breaking a sweat in the second half. That victory extended their mind-boggling unbeaten run to 34 matches across all competitions. They haven't tasted defeat since August 2025. Let that sink in. Don't miss our earlier article on this related article.
Morocco's Unbeaten Run by the Numbers
- Total Matches Without Defeat: 34
- Last Loss: August 2025
- World Cup Rank: 6th
- Diaz World Cup Assists: 4
If you think their semifinal run in Qatar was a fluke, you aren't paying attention. This team is entirely different from the defensive, low-block side that ground out results four years ago. This version of the Atlas Lions knows how to absorb punishment, control the tempo, and punish teams with ruthless efficiency. They are legitimate threats to lift the trophy on July 19.
The Tactically Ruthless Machine Built by Mohamed Ouahbi
A lot of casual fans expected Jesse Marsch's Canada to cause an upset with their high-pressing, chaotic style. For the first 45 minutes, it kind of looked like they might. Canada dominated possession, pinned Morocco back, and forced veteran keeper Yassine Bounou into a couple of desperate sprawling saves. Tani Oluwaseyi nearly opened the scoring after a sloppy giveaway. To read more about the history of this, CBS Sports provides an excellent summary.
But Morocco didn't panic. They don't panic.
Coach Mohamed Ouahbi has built a side that embraces discomfort. They won that match despite registering only five shots on goal. That is the fewest recorded by any team in a World Cup knockout match in recent history. It sounds like a negative statistic until you realize how intentional it was.
They don't need twenty chances to kill you. They just need one or two moments of pure quality.
When Achraf Hakimi rolled a short free-kick to Azzedine Ounahi in the 50th minute, the Canadian defense stepped back for a fraction of a second. Ounahi didn't think twice. He hit a first-time rocket into the bottom corner. Game over. Once Morocco gets a lead, trying to break them down is like trying to punch through a brick wall with winter gloves.
Brahim Diaz and the Evolution of the Attack
The biggest difference between the 2022 team and this current squad is the sheer level of elite attacking quality. In Qatar, the team relied heavily on individual moments of magic from Hakim Ziyech or the tireless running of Youssef En-Nesyri. Today, the creative engine runs through Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz.
Diaz has been completely unstoppable. Against Canada, he set up two goals, bringing his total tournament assist tally to four. No African player has ever recorded more assists in a single World Cup campaign. He operates in tight spaces, links the midfield to the attack, and frees up space for Ounahi and Soufiane Rahimi to exploit.
The squad depth is terrifying. Look at what happened in the 22nd minute against Canada. Ismael Saibari, the tournament's standout attacking midfielder who recently secured a massive transfer from PSV Eindhoven to Bayern Munich, limped off with a hamstring injury. For almost any other team, losing your top tournament scorer before the half-hour mark is a death sentence.
Morocco barely flinched. They simply adjusted their shape, relied on their defensive structure, and waited for Canada to tire themselves out. Rahimi's late goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time was the ultimate proof of their depth and stamina.
The Elephant in the Room and the AFCON Controversy
To truly appreciate this 34-match unbeaten streak, we have to talk about the bumps along the way. Skeptics like to point out that international streaks are often padded with weak friendly matches or favorable continental qualifiers. That isn't the case here.
Morocco survived a grueling Africa Cup of Nations tournament earlier this year, eventually winning the trophy. Granted, that AFCON final victory was wrapped in heavy controversy and will be debated by opposing fans for years. But tournament football isn't about being liked. It's about surviving.
They know how to win ugly. They know how to handle hostile crowds, terrible pitch conditions, and controversial refereeing decisions. When you combine that mental toughness with the technical skill of players like Hakimi and Ounahi, you get a team that is virtually impossible to eliminate in a one-off knockout game.
King Mohammed VI's long-term investments in football infrastructure and youth academies are paying off heavily. This isn't a golden generation that appeared out of nowhere. This is a factory line of elite talent that has been meticulously planned for over a decade.
Road to the Final and What Comes Next
Morocco is packing their bags for Boston. On July 9, they will face the winner of the round of 16 clash between France and Paraguay.
The potential loss of Saibari is a massive blow, and his hamstring will likely be the most talked-about muscle in Morocco over the next few days. If he can't make it back, the creative burden shifts heavily onto Diaz and Ounahi to carry the load against elite European or South American opposition.
But write them off at your own peril. They've already proven they can win without dominant possession, they can win without their star attacker, and they can win when their backs are against the wall.
Keep an eye on the injury updates out of the Moroccan camp over the next 48 hours. If Saibari's injury isn't as severe as it looked, expect Morocco to systematically dismantle whoever survives the France and Paraguay matchup. Book your tickets now.
