Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has declared that the Atlas Lions are hungry to build on their historic 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign — and go even further at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Morocco made history in Qatar three years ago, becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of a FIFA World Cup. Bounou believes the squad retains everything needed to surpass that achievement.

"The quality of the players is still there," Bounou told FIFA. "The right mindset will also be there because it's a World Cup, and every player dreams of playing in it. For some, this might be the last one. For others, it will be their first time."

Group C and the Brazil challenge

Morocco have been drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti. Their opening fixture — against tournament heavyweights Brazil in New Jersey — arrives next week, and Bounou is measured in his expectations.

"Let's be honest: there are teams that are bigger favourites than us," the former Sevilla shot-stopper said. "We, for our part, have been on this path of progress since 2022, so let's try to carry that on. After that, there's no telling how far we might go."

A team now feared across the globe

The rise in Morocco's standing since Qatar has been dramatic. The Atlas Lions were ranked 22nd in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking when they travelled to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. They now sit eighth — ahead of Belgium and Germany, and just behind Brazil and the Netherlands.

Bounou says that elevation in global perception has translated into a tangible shift in how opponents approach Morocco, and he views it as a source of strength rather than added pressure.

"We feel that we're still respected, and that must give us confidence," he insisted. "I think there's a sense of belief that we perhaps didn't feel before, as an African team."

With Mohamed Ouahbi leading the side, Morocco enter the FIFA World Cup 2026 not merely hoping to compete — they intend to make history once more.