By Kunle Solaja, Vancouver

Morocco’s players insist they are not satisfied with making history in Qatar 2022 and are now focused on pushing African football to even greater heights.

The Atlas Lions head into their opening World Cup match against Brazil buoyed by a series of achievements that have transformed the country’s football landscape.

In addition to the senior team’s World Cup exploits, Morocco’s Under-20 side captured the nation’s first FIFA title in 2025, defeating Argentina 2-0 in the FIFA U-20 World Cup final in Chile.

The success has reinforced Morocco’s growing reputation as a football powerhouse, backed by significant investment in infrastructure, youth development and coaching.

Facing Brazil presents the ultimate benchmark.

While the South Americans remain favourites, Morocco have already shown they can overcome football’s aristocrats. Their victories over Spain and Portugal in Qatar changed perceptions worldwide, while the win over Brazil in Tangier provided further evidence of their growing stature.

Now, with another World Cup campaign beginning, the Atlas Lions are determined to show that Moroccan football’s rise is far from over. Their first test comes against the most decorated nation in World Cup history, but Morocco have built a reputation for thriving when the odds are stacked against them.

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By Kunle Solaja

Morocco will launch another chapter of their remarkable World Cup journey when they face five-time champions Brazil in a heavyweight Group C clash, determined to prove that their historic run at Qatar 2022 was no one-off achievement.

The Atlas Lions arrive in North America carrying the hopes of a continent after becoming the first African nation to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals four years ago. Now, they are seeking to build on that achievement against one of football’s most successful nations.

Morocco’s path to the 2026 World Cup was flawless. The North Africans won all eight of their qualifying matches, becoming the first African country to secure a place at the tournament and underlining their status as one of the continent’s leading football powers.

Despite Brazil’s rich World Cup pedigree, Morocco will draw confidence from their most recent meeting. In March 2023, the Atlas Lions defeated Brazil 2-1 in Tangier, a victory that demonstrated their ability to compete with the world’s elite teams.

The challenge, however, remains immense. Brazil have won a record five World Cup titles and boast the tournament’s records for victories and goals scored. Yet Morocco believe they possess the quality and experience to upset the South Americans once again.

Much attention will focus on the battle between Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi and Brazil skipper Marquinhos, who are teammates at Paris Saint-Germain but rivals for 90 minutes in New Jersey.

The Atlas Lions also carry memories of their remarkable Qatar campaign, where they topped a group featuring Croatia and Belgium before eliminating Spain and Portugal en route to the semi-finals.

With confidence high and expectations growing, Morocco view the encounter as an opportunity to announce themselves once again as genuine contenders on football’s biggest stage.

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By Kunle Solaja, Vancouver

The sounds of singing, dancing and blaring vuvuzelas transformed a training ground in Houston into a slice of Africa as Democratic Republic of Congo supporters gathered in large numbers to cheer their team ahead of a historic return to the FIFA World Cup.

The Congolese national team will begin their Group K campaign against Portugal on Wednesday, marking their first appearance at football’s biggest tournament in 52 years.

The last time the Central African nation competed at the World Cup was in 1974 under the name Zaire. That campaign ended painfully, with three defeats, no goals scored, and 14 conceded. But supporters watching the team’s preparations in Houston believe this generation can write a very different story.

Among the most colourful fans was Dada Muzinga, who wore a clown mask topped with bright red hair as he celebrated his country’s long-awaited return to the global stage.

“I am really happy, man,” Muzinga said. “It’s a long time. I’m 40 years old, but I have never seen the World Cup with my country. I am excited. I know it is going to be really good.”

Muzinga also had a message for Portugal captain and football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, who is expected to lead his side against DR Congo.

“This message is to Cristiano Ronaldo,” he said. “We don’t want any penalties, no red cards. We want to play to the end. Then we will see who wins the game.”

The lively atmosphere at training reflected the growing optimism among Congolese supporters, who believe their team can compete strongly in a group that also includes Colombia and Uzbekistan.

Twenty-four-year-old teacher Claude Byiringiro could barely hide his excitement as he watched the players train.

“I follow the team, and I am really excited it is happening here in Houston,” he said. “I feel like we have a good squad and the chemistry is getting better. Hopefully, we can go far this time.”

For Byiringiro, the experience was especially meaningful because he had spent years watching many of the players from afar.

“These are the players you grew up watching on TV, and now you get to see them represent your country. Not only that, you get to see them live. The way they move the ball is amazing. It feels unreal.”

As the discussion turned to how far the team could progress, confidence among supporters reached a fever pitch. One fan shouted, “All the way to the final,” triggering loud cheers from the crowd gathered around the training session.

DR Congo’s World Cup participation has provided a welcome source of national pride at a difficult time for the country. The tournament comes amid an Ebola outbreak that has cast a shadow over parts of the nation, with hundreds of confirmed cases and significant loss of life reported.

For many Congolese supporters in Houston, however, football offers a rare moment of unity and hope as they prepare to watch their country return to the world’s biggest sporting stage after more than five decades away.

The challenge begins against Portugal on Wednesday, when the jubilant supporters who have brought Africa’s vibrant spirit to Texas will hope their team can announce its return with a memorable result.

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