The debate is raging across social media: after their historic 2022 semi-final run, should Morocco still be considered an underdog? Fans argue the team has earned its place among the genuine contenders for the 2026 tournament, and that the “dark horse” tag is now an outdated media narrative.
However, the “genuine contender” hype is colliding with a very mixed reality on the pitch. The team’s erratic form in Group C, especially a shocking 4-2 defeat to Haiti, has provided plenty of fuel for skeptics. Even their 1-0 win over Scotland was a narrow affair, suggesting the squad is far from invincible and that some of the excitement is driven by nostalgia.
Yet, just when you might write them off, they deliver a performance that justifies their elevated status. Their resilient 1-1 draw against Brazil offers concrete tactical proof that Morocco can still go toe-to-toe with the world’s elite. That result alone demonstrates a tactical maturity that keeps them firmly in the conversation as a threat heading into the knockout rounds.
Ultimately, the discussion around Morocco highlights a broader issue in football analysis. The media often struggles to categorize teams that shatter the traditional hierarchy, preferring to slot them back into familiar underdog roles. As the 2026 football tournament progresses, the discourse must evolve beyond past fairy-tale runs and evaluate teams like Morocco on their current tactical reality, not on yesterday’s labels.
