Former France midfielder Patrick Vieira has backed Morocco to emerge as one of the surprise teams of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, predicting the Atlas Lions have the quality to reach the quarter-finals.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast on June 26, 2026, the Arsenal and Manchester City legend praised Morocco’s combination of individual talent and collective resilience ahead of the knockout stages.
“I think Morocco can be the team that can cause a surprise and I think they have enough individual quality to be in the last eight,” Vieira said, while noting that other smaller nations may find it more difficult to progress.
Morocco have advanced from the group stage to the Round of 32, where they will face the Netherlands. The Atlas Lions made history at the 2022 World Cup by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals before losing to eventual runners-up France.
Vieira, a 1998 World Cup winner, said Morocco’s experienced squad, featuring players from leading European leagues, has the quality to compete in high-pressure knockout matches as they seek to build on their historic 2022 campaign.
