Morocco Spain France World Cup 2026 regrets comparison

In Morocco, France’s elimination by Spain in the 2026 World Cup semi-final has reopened a still-fresh wound. Just days earlier, the Atlas Lions had been knocked out in the quarter-finals by the Blues.

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The contrast struck many Moroccan supporters. Against Spain, the French team appeared far less dominant than against Morocco. La Roja controlled the match, imposed its style of play and won 2-0, with a mastery that fueled regrets on the Moroccan side.

One question has persisted since: did Morocco show too much respect to France? Could the Lions have done better against an opponent presented as one of the tournament’s major favorites?

According to Moroccan coach Faouzi Jamal, cited by Hespress, quick comparisons should be avoided. Each match has its own conditions, its rhythm, its balance of power and its tactical choices.

Regrets, but no shortcuts

For him, France’s defeat to Spain does not mean the Blues were weak. It mainly shows that Spain was better that evening. This does not automatically mean that Morocco could have reproduced the same scenario.

Faouzi Jamal also reminds us that Morocco and Spain neither have the same football culture, nor the same game project, nor the same collective automatisms. Mental strength, according to him, also plays an important role in managing this type of encounter.

But the coach acknowledges a real disappointment: it is not only the elimination against France that frustrated Moroccans, but especially the content of the match. The Atlas Lions did not show the face expected by their fans.

Aziz El Amri goes in the same direction. For him, Spain remains a selection accustomed to titles and one of the World Cup’s major favorites. Its qualification for the final is therefore no surprise.

He believes that expectations around Morocco should not be placed too high, still recent at the highest world level. The former coach also points to the weak influence of players from the national championship in the Moroccan squad, whereas the Kingdom’s only African title had been won with local players.

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For him, the task is clear: further develop the Botola to create real competition with players competing in Europe. Against France, the Lions mainly seemed to lack momentum and conviction. It is this impression, more than the result, that fuels regrets today.