Latest Morocco News & Updates

Rabat, July 8 (IANS) Former Morocco winger Zakaria Aboukhlal has warned the Atlas Lions that they cannot afford to rely solely on defensive resilience against France, insisting they must also be brave in possession when the two sides renew their FIFA World Cup rivalry in Friday’s quarterfinal.The fixture marks the first World Cup meeting between the nations since France defeated Morocco 2-0 in the semi-finals of the 2022 tournament in Qatar, ending the Atlas Lions’ historic run as the first Afri…

New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 delivered late winners, stunning upsets, dramatic comebacks and emotional farewells as the race for football’s biggest prize narrowed to the final eight. Morocco kicked off the knockout stage in style with a commanding display to eliminate co-hosts Canada. The Atlas Lions have carried forward the momentum from their memorable run in Qatar, while Canada can take pride in reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in thei…

Madrid, July 7 (IANS) Spain’s victory over Portugal in the World Cup Round of 16 has increased the likelihood that several opening-weekend matches in the upcoming 2026-27 season of La Liga will be postponed.La Liga is scheduled to begin on the weekend of August 15-16, but an agreement provides that clubs with players involved in the World Cup semifinals will not be required to begin their domestic campaign until a week later. Any postponed fixtures are expected to be rescheduled between the seco…

New Delhi, July 7 (IANS) Kylian Mbappe and the French Football Association have called Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla “despicable” and “unworthy of a position” for the “abhorrent and odious” racist remarks she made mocking the French forward’s origin following the World Cup last-16 clash between the countries. Celeste, who is from Paraguay’s Liberal Radical Party, posted her comments on X after her country’s defeat by France in the last 16 of the World Cup.Responding to the same, Mbappe sai…

Lisbon, July 7 (IANS) The area burned in Portugal has nearly quadrupled compared with the same period last year, as extreme heat and elevated fire danger fueled a surge in rural fires across the country, according to official data. Data from Portugal’s Rural Fire Integrated Management System (SGIFR), obtained by Lusa news agency on Monday (local time), showed that 4,592 wildfires have been recorded nationwide so far this year, burning 30,155 hectares, more than half of the total burned area reco…

New Jersey, July 6 (IANS) Coach Carlo Ancelotti lamented Brazil’s shock exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing to Norway but stated that this loss is “not an end” but the “beginning of the new adventure”. Brazil created several chances, missed a penalty when the score was 0-0, and ended up conceding two goals from Haaland in the second half. A late Neymar penalty, coming in the tenth minute of stoppage time, was nothing more than a consolation as Brazil made their earliest World Cup exit…

New Delhi, July 5 (IANS) A total of 15 India-bound ships carrying fertilisers and fertiliser raw materials have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz, which will lead to a significant increase in the country’s fertiliser stocks, according to an official statement issued on Sunday.Among the 15 vessels, eight vessels are carrying 3.32 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of urea, four are carrying 2.57 LMT of DAP, and three are carrying 1.11 LMT of sulphur.In addition, five more vessels are scheduled for India….

Houston, July 5 (IANS) Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has said that his team is no longer a “surprise” but a “real contender” at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after beating Canada 3-0 to reach the quarterfinals. Morocco had become the first African nation to reach the semifinals at the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and are on course to emulate that performance.Canada was the more aggressive side in the first half. It put constant pressure on Morocco, forcing uncharacteristic mistakes and attacking with sp…

Philadelphia, July 5 (IANS) Kylian Mbappé scored his seventh goal of the 2026 edition, slotting home from the penalty spot as two-time winner France overcame Paraguay 1-0 to set up a quarterfinal meeting with Morocco at the FIFA World Cup, remaining on course for another title.Mbappé scored the only goal of the Round of 16 match in the second half from a penalty to settle an attritional contest at the Philadelphia Stadium, moving level with Lionel Messi on goals but leading on assists in the r…

Houston, July 5 (IANS) Canada’s World Cup journey ended in a 3-0 loss to Morocco, but the team made history for their country as co-hosts. Canada picked up their first-ever point in the FIFA World Cup and won their first knockout match against South Africa to reach the Round of 16.Canada defender Alistair Johnston said they are quite proud of their achievements.”I just want to be able to look myself in the mirror after this World Cup and say that I left it all out there,” Johnston said. “I do th…