Boushaib El-Mubaraki: Morocco World Cup 2026 Title Bid Seen as Realistic
Boushaib El-Mubaraki says Morocco World Cup 2026 title bid is realistic, citing the 2022 breakthrough, squad depth, Sofyan Rahimi and coaching continuity.
Former Morocco International Frames 2026 Ambition
Boushaib El-Mubaraki, a former Morocco international and ex-Al-Wasl player, said he does not rule out Morocco winning the Morocco World Cup 2026, which runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He told Emarat Al Youm that his assessment reflects not only personal belief but also the expectations emerging from international sports media and analysis.
El-Mubaraki pointed to Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar 2022 as the turning point that transformed the national team’s stature. He argued the result was the payoff of long-term investment in youth development and structural change across Moroccan football.
Development Path from Youth Teams to Global Contender
The former player said Morocco’s rise was built from the ground up, beginning with youth categories that gradually supplied a more cohesive senior squad. He noted that the national system’s continuity and emphasis on technical coaching have encouraged other federations to study and sometimes emulate Morocco’s approach.
El-Mubaraki emphasized that the 2022 performance proved the model’s effectiveness, turning Morocco into a recognised force capable of matching traditional heavyweights on big occasions. That credibility, he said, underpins the belief in a credible title challenge at the Morocco World Cup 2026.
Squad Strengths and Tactical Confidence
According to El-Mubaraki, Morocco now possesses the personnel and tactical balance to compete with any opponent at the tournament. He highlighted team cohesion and defensive solidity alongside a growing layer of creative players who can change matches in the final third.
He also stressed that mental resilience and international experience are key assets, especially for knockout football. Those attributes, combined with a clear game identity, are the reasons he views Morocco as a strong candidate for deep progression in the tournament.
Sofyan Rahimi’s Role and UAE League Recognition
El-Mubaraki welcomed the selection of Al Ain forward Sofyan Rahimi to Morocco’s provisional pool, saying Rahimi’s recent domestic form strengthens the national team’s attacking options. He cited Rahimi’s contribution to Al Ain’s domestic double and described him as one of the club’s core players.
The former player added that he follows the UAE Pro League and is impressed by its increasing competitiveness and the quality of Moroccan players who have thrived there. He said the UAE competition has become among the stronger leagues in the Arab world, providing solid preparation for internationals.
Assessment of Regional Teams and UAE Prospects
El-Mubaraki praised the United Arab Emirates for a strong showing in the recent World Cup qualifiers, describing their elimination as a matter of fine margins rather than a lack of capability. He said the UAE showed progress but lacked the luck and small details required to secure qualification.
He recommended stability in coaching appointments as a priority for Gulf federations, arguing that frequent changes hinder long-term development. El-Mubaraki urged the UAE to focus on youth integration and to treat upcoming tournaments, such as the next AFC Asian Cup, as preparation for the 2030 World Cup qualifying cycle hosted by Morocco, Spain and Portugal.
Coaching Transition and Continuity Under Mohammed Wahbi
Responding to Morocco’s coaching change, El-Mubaraki acknowledged Walid Regragui’s achievements while supporting the decision to install Mohammed Wahbi as head coach for the 2026 campaign. He noted Wahbi’s success with Moroccan youth teams and his familiarity with domestic talent as reasons the federation opted for internal continuity.
The former international said the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s move to back a national coach reflects a wider desire to preserve the developmental momentum established after 2022. He expressed optimism that Wahbi can extend recent gains and maintain a coherent philosophy across age groups.
Group Stage Outlook and Brazil Challenge
Looking ahead to Morocco’s group stage draw, El-Mubaraki identified Brazil as the toughest opponent, citing the South American side’s depth and the profile of their coach, whom he described as world-class. He predicted Morocco would either draw or win against Brazil and expected victories over Haiti and Scotland, basing his view on perceived technical and tactical advantages.
He qualified those forecasts by underlining that tournament football is unpredictable and that match-day performance and preparation will ultimately decide outcomes. Still, his public optimism signals confidence that Morocco has the tools to navigate a challenging group and progress to the later rounds.
Morocco’s transformation since 2022 — from underdog to global contender — remains central to the narrative ahead of the Morocco World Cup 2026, and voices like El-Mubaraki’s reflect growing regional and international belief in the team’s prospects.