Hakimi and Saibari Steer Morocco to the Brink of the Knockout Stage

Hakimi and Saibari Steer Morocco to the Brink of the Knockout Stage

Morocco have placed themselves in a commanding position at the 2026 World Cup, taking four points from their opening two Group C fixtures. A spirited 1-1 draw with Brazil on 13 June was followed by a disciplined 1-0 win over Scotland on 19 June, leaving the Atlas Lions level on points with the group leaders and firmly in control of their own fate.

Captain Achraf Hakimi has set the tone from the back, driving forward with the same energy that carried Morocco to the semi-finals four years ago. Around him, a settled and confident side has shown that the run in 2022 was no one-off. With one group game still to play, Morocco look every bit a team built to go deep again.

Saibari the man for the big moments

If Hakimi has supplied the leadership, Ismael Saibari has supplied the goals. The midfielder has scored in both matches so far, and on each occasion his strike has shaped the result. Against Brazil he produced the equaliser; against Scotland he delivered the winner. Two appearances, two decisive interventions.

The draw with Brazil was the statement performance. Vinicius Junior put the South Americans ahead in the 32nd minute, and for a moment it looked as though Morocco might be made to chase the game. Instead, Saibari had already answered. His 21st-minute equaliser settled the Atlas Lions and ensured they took a point from one of the tournament favourites. Brazil’s quality, including the threat carried by their forward line, is documented in our piece on how Vinicius Junior carried Brazil to the top of Group C.

Grinding past Scotland

Six days later, Morocco faced a very different kind of test. Scotland arrived organised and stubborn, the sort of opponent that can frustrate a more expansive side. The Atlas Lions stayed patient, trusted their structure, and waited for the chance to arrive. When it did, Saibari was again the man to take it, settling a tight contest with the only goal of the game.

The 1-0 result was as valuable as it was hard-earned. It moved Morocco to four points and, just as importantly, it kept their goals-against column clean against a team that had come to defend. For a side with genuine ambitions, the ability to win ugly may prove every bit as important as the flair on display against Brazil.

How Group C stands

The table after two rounds tells a clear story. Morocco and Brazil sit level on four points, with Brazil holding top spot on goal difference after adding a 3-0 win over Haiti to their draw with the Atlas Lions. Scotland remain in contention on three points, while Haiti have been eliminated without a point on the board.

That symmetry at the top means the final round of group fixtures is expected to be decisive. Morocco know that another positive result should be enough to carry them through, and a side that has already drawn with Brazil and beaten Scotland has earned the right to feel confident about what comes next.

Built on the 2022 foundation

What stands out is how naturally this Morocco team has settled into a tournament rhythm. The 2022 semi-final run announced them as a serious force, and rather than fading back into the pack, they have carried that belief into 2026. Hakimi’s presence at the heart of the side provides continuity, while Saibari’s emergence as a match-winner gives the attack a fresh edge.

The Atlas Lions are not alone in catching the eye in the group stage. England opened with authority, as detailed in our report on how Kane’s double fired England past Croatia, while France made their own statement when Mbappe fired France to a winning start against Senegal. Morocco’s two performances belong in that same conversation.

What it means

Two games in, Morocco have a draw against a tournament favourite, a clean-sheet win over an awkward opponent, four points, and a captain leading from the front. They have not yet secured passage to the knockout rounds, but they have done almost everything within their power to put themselves there.

For a nation that fell in love with this team in 2022, the early signs in 2026 are deeply encouraging. The final group game is still to come, and nothing is guaranteed in a World Cup. But the Atlas Lions, with Hakimi marshalling and Saibari scoring, have given themselves every reason to dream of another long summer run.