Morocco's Atlas Lions arrive in the US for 2026 World Cup preparation, eye historic FIFA ranking
via Le Matin2 min read
Morocco's Atlas Lions have arrived in the United States to begin the second phase of their 2026 World Cup preparation, following a victory against Madagascar. The team, led by Mohamed Ouahbi, is focused on adapting to the time difference and local climate, with a rigorous recovery protocol in place. Initial training sessions are light and targeted to prepare players after a long European season. A friendly match against Norway on Sunday will serve as a tactical laboratory to refine defensive coordination and transition speed, crucial elements before their upcoming match against Brazil. The national coach expects intensity, rigor, and cohesion from his players. In parallel, the team received a boost from the Netherlands' surprise defeat to Algeria in a friendly match. This result creates an opportunity for the Atlas Lions to potentially achieve a historic 7th place in the FIFA rankings, reinforcing Morocco's status as a major footballing nation. This prospect provides additional motivation for the players as they approach the Brazil match, signaling Morocco's ambition to compete among the global elite.
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Achraf Hakimi, fresh from winning his second consecutive UEFA Champions League title with Paris Saint-Germain, addressed the Atlas Lions to motivate the team for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hakimi, the most decorated African player in history with 19 titles, expressed his happiness and pride in his recent club success but emphasized the team's shared goal for the World Cup. He stated, "I hope to accomplish something special with you. I have been waiting for this for a long time. We now have a big common goal, the World Cup." The Moroccan international also acknowledged the high expectations from the public, saying, "We hope to have a good participation in the World Cup, because it is very important for me, for all of us, and especially for all Moroccans." The Moroccan delegation is currently in New Jersey after an initial preparation phase at the Mohammed VI complex in Maâmora, which included two friendly matches against Burundi and Madagascar. Their final friendly exhibition is scheduled for this Sunday against Norway.
Must ReadThe International Monetary Fund IMF has released a study on central bank independence in the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, and the Caucasus, concluding that greater autonomy for central banks correlates with better inflation control and resilience to macroeconomic shocks. The study examines interactions between fiscal and monetary policy, using net claims of the banking system on the state as a percentage of GDP to measure "fiscal dominance." The IMF notes that countries like Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Algeria, and Pakistan show public debt to the banking system above the regional average, indicating fiscal dominance. This occurs when state financing needs influence monetary policy, potentially leading authorities to fund the government or maintain artificially low interest rates. The IMF warns that significant reliance on the banking system for public deficit financing can complicate monetary policy transmission, fuel inflationary pressures, and undermine central bank credibility. The institution also highlights that excessive public debt to the banking sector can crowd out private sector credit, hinder investment, and impact economic growth. The report cites Egypt and Pakistan as examples where high domestic debt limited central banks' ability to raise interest rates promptly, contributing to persistent inflation despite easing global supply chain tensions. To address these issues, the IMF recommends short-term measures such as strengthening central banks' legal fra
Zakaria El Ouahdi, a defender for the Atlas Lions, has resolved an administrative issue that previously prevented him from traveling with the Moroccan team to the United States. He has now obtained the necessary travel authorization and is expected to join the team's base camp. His arrival will allow national coach Mohamed Ouahbi to have the full squad available for preparation ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where Morocco holds high ambitions following their historic performance in the 2022 edition in Qatar.
The Moroccan Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports is offering free airline tickets to Moroccan candidates admitted to the oral examinations for French engineering and business schools. This initiative aims to support equal opportunities and assist deserving students in their international academic pursuits. The measure applies to students currently enrolled in or who have completed their second year at preparatory centers for Grandes Écoles CPGE in Morocco and who have been invited to oral exams for the 2026 French competitive entrance exams. This includes exams like BCE and Ecricome for business schools, and X-ENS, Centrale Supélec, Mines-Ponts, CCINP, and Arts et Métiers for engineering schools. Candidates for the common INP CCINP exam must have a minimum average of 13.5/20. Interested candidates must pre-register via the "Concours français" section of the e-CPGE portal by June 9, 2026, at 2 PM. A commission comprising ministry representatives and the CPGE Maroc collective will select beneficiaries based on school rankings and written exam results. In case of ties for business schools, a draw may be held. Selected students have 48 hours to confirm acceptance of the ticket. Travel dates must be entered on the e-CPGE portal, and the e-ticket will be sent after visa confirmation. The ministry states that these complimentary tickets are non-refundable. This program seeks to reduce financial burdens associated with travel to France, enabling more Moroccan student