Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi believes the Atlas Lions have every reason to dream of lifting the 2026 FIFA World Cup after their dramatic Round of 32 victory over the Netherlands, insisting the team is embracing the pressure of the biggest stage in world football.
Speaking after Morocco’s historic penalty shootout triumph, the highly-rated youngster described the knockout clash as one of the defining moments of his career so far, highlighting both the emotional intensity and the magnitude of the occasion.
“In terms of emotions and pressure, this is one of the biggest matches of my career,” Bouaddi said.
The victory extended Morocco’s remarkable World Cup journey, making them the first African nation to reach the Round of 16 at the expanded 2026 tournament. The Atlas Lions also became the first African team to force extra time with a second-half stoppage-time equaliser in a World Cup knockout match before prevailing in the shootout.
Bouaddi believes those experiences have only strengthened the squad’s belief that an even greater achievement is within reach.
“We hope to reach the final and win this World Cup. Why not?” he added.
Morocco have continued to build on the momentum generated by their historic semi-final run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, once again establishing themselves among the tournament’s standout performers with disciplined defending, technical quality and unwavering resilience.
With confidence growing inside the camp, the Atlas Lions now turn their attention to the Round of 16, where another stern test awaits as they continue their pursuit of becoming the first African nation to win the FIFA World Cup.