An extremely competitive Pot 1
Pot 1 includes the host nations — Mexico, the United States, and Canada — as well as several football powerhouses: Argentina, France, Spain, Portugal, England, Brazil, Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium.
For any team in Pot 2, facing one of these opponents in the group stage is inevitable. Morocco will thus have to contend with a giant right from the start of the competition.
Morocco firmly established in Pot 2
Thanks to its exceptional performance in recent international competitions, Morocco is positioned in Pot 2.
Alongside it:
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Croatia
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Italy (if qualified through playoffs)
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Uruguay
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Colombia
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Japan
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Senegal
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Iran
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South Korea
This placement means the Atlas Lions will avoid all these teams in the group stage, which represents a significant strategic advantage.
A very open yet tricky Pot 3
Pot 3 offers a range of teams capable of causing surprises: Ecuador, Australia, Turkey, Norway, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, and Ukraine.
Morocco could face a high-level African or European opponent right from the first round.
The presence of nations familiar with major tournaments makes this pot both unpredictable and dangerous.
A Pot 4 rich in diversity and explosive profiles
Pot 4 gathers emerging nations, teams from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East, as well as squads returning to the forefront.
Notably, it includes: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Ghana, Jamaica, Jordan, Cape Verde, and New Zealand.
Teams capable of defying predictions, as history has often shown in the World Cup.
Morocco: a status to confirm
Morocco's placement in Pot 2 confirms its rising power on the global stage. Following its historic World Cup 2022, the Kingdom is now regarded as a strong, consistent, and difficult-to-handle nation.
The goal will be clear:
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to advance past the first round,
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to avoid a "group of death,"
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and to rely on a balanced squad across all positions.
With a draw potentially challenging yet balanced, the Atlas Lions have all the tools to shine in 2026.
Towards a suspenseful draw
This projection is not definitive, but it already gives a glimpse of the teams involved. The draw for the 2026 World Cup could result in particularly intense groups, combining European giants, ambitious African teams, and rapidly improving Asian nations.
