The 2026 World Cup is kicking off under unusual circumstances for Moroccan café owners, who are facing a tournament unlike any before it. Between late-night kick-offs and uncertainty over opening hours, many are scaling back their preparations despite the excitement surrounding the Atlas Lions.
Until 2026, the very idea of seeing Issa Diop in a Morocco shirt had been written off. Developed in France, capped at every French youth level and established in the Premier League for nearly a decade, the Fulham defender had himself said it would be «hypocritical» to represent any national team other than France. Yet at 29, it is with the Atlas Lions that he will play at the 2026 World Cup.
Soufiane Rahimi inherited his footballing dream from his father, Mohamed «Youari», whose hopes of playing for Raja’s first team were cut short by injury. From the Oasis complex to the streets of Derb Sultan, Rahimi overcame setbacks, injuries and rejection to achieve what his father could not, emerging as one of Morocco’s leading stars ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
From the carpentry workshops of Mediouna on the outskirts of Casablanca to European podiums and the spotlight of the World Cup, Ayoub El Kaabi has carved out an extraordinary path that defies every ready-made template for a star’s rise.
After the highs and heartbreak of AFCON 2025, Brahim Díaz heads into the World Cup determined to turn the page. The Real Madrid midfielder has built his career on resilience, overcoming setbacks to become one of Morocco's leading stars.
With Morocco set to face Brazil in its World Cup opener, some of the Atlas Lions' most dedicated supporters fear they may not make it to the United States. Visa rejections are casting uncertainty over months of preparations for Sboua.
At 22, Bilal El Khannouss is no longer the youngster discovering the World Cup in Qatar. Four years after the Atlas Lions’ historic run, the VfB Stuttgart midfielder heads toward the 2026 World Cup as one of the faces of Morocco’s new generation.
A U20 world champion with Morocco in 2025, Gessime Yassine is among the fresh young faces joining the Atlas Lions’ ranks. Still little known to the wider public just a few months ago, the Strasbourg winger has seen his stock rise at remarkable speed.
As the Atlas Lions prepare to begin their World Cup campaign, the Moroccan diaspora in the United States is mobilizing to welcome thousands of supporters arriving from across the globe. From a free watch party near MetLife Stadium to cultural events, volunteers are working to ensure fans feel at home throughout the tournament.
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