Morocco has secured its qualification for the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, but the Atlas Lions had to work hard to overcome Haiti during the third and final day of the group stage. In a match more complicated than expected, the national team won 4-2, after a difficult first half marked by several defensive errors and an opening goal from Haiti.
Already eliminated before this match, Haiti played without complexes and quickly put Morocco in difficulty. The Haitian team even scored its first goal in this World Cup, taking advantage of a hesitant start from the Atlas Lions. It should also be noted that Mohamed Ouahbi chose to rotate his squad for this match, including a revamped defense, which inevitably affected the team’s automatisms and collective balance.
However, Morocco managed to respond. Achraf Hakimi first brought his team back into the game, before Ismael Saibari equalized just before halftime, responding to a magnificent goal from the Haitians that had once again put the Atlas Lions under pressure. Despite this comeback, the first half confirmed certain vulnerabilities, particularly in managing transitions and defensive concentration.
After the break, the Atlas Lions displayed a more serious face. More present in duels and more patient in their build-up, the Moroccans gradually regained control of the match. Soufiane Rahimi particularly stood out by scoring and providing an assist. This was an outstanding performance by the Moroccan forward, who was able to step up when his team needed to make a difference.
This victory allows Morocco to finish the group stage with 7 points, the same total as Brazil. However, the Seleção retains the top spot in Group C thanks to a better goal difference: +6 compared to +3 for the Atlas Lions. Morocco thus finishes second, ahead of Scotland and Haiti, and continues its journey in this World Cup.
Qualification is secured, but this victory against Haiti will likely serve as a warning. From the Round of 16 onwards, mistakes will be more costly. The Atlas Lions will need to correct their moments of relaxation and regain more stability if they wish to continue advancing in the competition.
