When Morocco became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022, it was not a fluke. That is the message from the British coaches who helped build the country's football infrastructure. Now, as Morocco faces France again in the 2026 quarter-finals, the question is not whether they belong among the world’s elite, but how far they can go.
Morocco’s transformation rests on sustained investment from the very top. King Mohammed VI has backed a state-of-the-art training facility, a national academy, regional training centres, stadium redevelopments and thousands of amateur pitches. Neil Ward, a Welshman who served as director of technical operations at the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) from 2020 to 2024, said: “You need those top facilities for players in Europe who are used to it. So when you come in and see a training facility of this calibre, it shows you these people are serious and want to be successful.”
“How sustained investment and planning turned Morocco into a World Cup contender”
The ambition extends beyond facilities. The RMFF hired British coaches like Ward and Simon Jennings, who delivered Uefa Pro Licences and A-licences as a coaching educator and oversaw youth development from 2020 to 2024. Jennings said: “This is not an accident. It’s a result of clear national ambition.” The motivation is twofold: tapping into Morocco’s deep passion for football and gaining “soft power on the international stage” by proving they can compete, as Ward put it.
That passion was visible in 2022, when Morocco reached the semi-finals. Ward, who was in Rabat at the time, recalled: “It took over all the city right through until the early hours of the morning, with the king out celebrating as well.” The Atlas Lions have now reached the quarter-finals again, co-hosting the next World Cup in 2030. Their rise is supported by data: at this tournament, Morocco have logged more sprints than any other remaining team, and their sprint intensity is the highest among the eight quarter-finalists, according to Opta. Playing two matches in air-conditioned stadiums may have helped, but they clearly have the physicality to compete.
For UK readers, Morocco’s story raises questions about how England develops its own talent. While Morocco has poured resources into a national system, England’s Premier League dominance has not always translated into international success. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s approach—centralised, state-backed, with a clear technical plan—offers an alternative model. There have been trade-offs: some young Moroccans have protested, calling for funds to be channelled into education, healthcare, housing, transport and job creation. In 2026, the palace allocated £11.2bn to health and education, a 16% year-on-year increase. But the football investment remains a strategic priority.
Q: How did Morocco become so good at football? Morocco’s improvement is driven by heavy investment from the monarchy, including elite training facilities, a national academy, and thousands of new pitches. They also hired experienced foreign coaches like Neil Ward and Simon Jennings to build technical and youth development systems.
Q: Who are the key people behind Morocco’s football rise? King Mohammed VI provided the political and financial backing. British coaches Neil Ward (technical operations) and Simon Jennings (youth development) implemented the plans. Former manager Walid Regragui led the team to the 2022 semi-finals.
Q: Is this a one-off or can Morocco keep competing? The infrastructure and planning suggest sustained success. Morocco is co-hosting the 2030 World Cup, indicating long-term commitment. Their current squad ranks sixth in FIFA’s world rankings and has shown elite physical attributes, such as the highest sprint intensity among quarter-finalists at the 2026 World Cup.
What happens next? Morocco plays France in the quarter-finals on Thursday (21:00 BST) at Boston Stadium. A win would see them reach the semi-finals for the second time in four years, further cementing their status as a rising force. Beyond this tournament, their 2030 World Cup co-hosting duties will demand continued investment—and likely deeper scrutiny of the balance between football and social spending.