Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi has urged his players to believe they are capable of making history by becoming the first African nation to lift the World Cup trophy.

Ouahbi, who leads one of the continent's most ambitious squads ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, told his players the ingredients for success are already in place — they simply need the conviction to match the ambition.

The Atlas Lions have been riding high on continental confidence ever since their extraordinary run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where they became the first African side to reach that stage of the tournament.

A nation daring to dream

Morocco's 2022 campaign sent shockwaves across African football, galvanising fans from Casablanca to Cairo and inspiring a generation of players across the continent. Now, with the 2026 edition to be co-hosted by Morocco, the United States, and Canada, the Atlas Lions will have the added advantage of playing in front of home support.

The prospect of a World Cup on home soil gives this Morocco squad a unique motivation. Ouahbi appears determined to channel that energy into genuine belief — not just hope — that the trophy is within reach.

Building on Qatar's legacy

Since their historic Qatar campaign, Morocco have continued to develop as a footballing force. Ouahbi's message is clear: the talent exists, the infrastructure is growing, and the moment is approaching. What the squad must now cultivate, according to their coach, is an unshakeable belief that they can go all the way.

If Morocco were to win the World Cup on home soil in 2026, it would represent not only the greatest moment in Moroccan football history, but a landmark achievement for African football as a whole — fulfilling a dream the continent has chased for decades.