Why Morocco is finally done playing the underdog

Let's get one thing straight before the beer hits the table. We are two years removed from Qatar, and if you still think Morocco is just a plucky side hoping for a draw, you haven't been watching the tape. Walid Regragui has transformed this squad from a defensive shell into a tactical nightmare that keeps the big boys up at night. Their run to the final four in 2022 wasn't some cosmic fluke fueled by lucky bounces.

It was a masterclass in organized chaos. Now, with the expanded field for 2026, they are the undisputed kings of the continent. They have the pedigree, the discipline, and a midfield that controls the tempo like a seasoned session musician. While the rest of the world is busy obsessing over European squads that look more like exhausted collection agencies, Morocco is hitting their prime.

Nigeria’s chaotic brilliance remains a double-edged sword

Then you have the Super Eagles. Every single World Cup cycle, Nigeria arrives with more attacking talent than they know what to do with. Victor Osimhen is a wrecking ball in the final third, capable of turning a routine clearance into a goal out of thin air. When they get their rhythm, they look like a team that could beat anyone in the world by a 3-1 scoreline. The issue has always been the structural integrity of the backline.

It’s a classic football tragedy that a team with such explosive flair often shoots themselves in the foot during the group stages. They’ve got the firepower to bury France or Brazil on their day, yet they manage to get undone by a tactical breakdown in the 88th minute. It’s infuriating, it’s beautiful, and it’s why I have a massive soft spot for them. If they can find a coach who stops overthinking the defensive rotations, they could go further than any African nation in history.

The missed opportunity for Senegal’s golden generation

We need to talk about Senegal. They are the team that feels like they should be holding the trophy, but something is missing. Sadio Mané remains a legend, but relying on him to carry the entire offensive weight is a strategy that belongs in 2018. The rest of the squad is talented, yet they often lack that final ounce of venom when they hit the knockout stages.

They play a physical game that is perfectly suited for the tournament format, but they’ve lost their edge. Maybe it’s complacency, or maybe the coaching setup hasn't kept pace with the tactical evolution we've seen from teams like Arsenal, who are currently dealing with their own transfer chaos. Senegal needs to stop relying on legacy names and start trusting the youth movement that is currently tearing up the youth academies.

Ghana’s rebuild is still a work in progress

And then there is Ghana. The Black Stars are in a weird spot right now. They possess the individual sparks to cause an upset, but there is no cohesive identity on the pitch. Watching them during the qualifying rounds feels like watching a band that hasn't rehearsed together. They have the pedigree from the 2010 era to lean on, but that’s ancient history in football terms.

If they somehow manage to navigate their group, it would be purely down to a moment of individual brilliance rather than a systematic grind. It’s hard to bet on a team that treats every match like a science experiment gone wrong. While fans hope for a miracle, the reality is that they are at least one major tournament away from being serious contenders. It’s a sobering thought, but that’s the reality of modern international football.

The road to the quarter-finals is wide open

The 2026 tournament is going to be a bloodbath. With more teams, the disparity in quality between the elite and the middle-of-the-pack nations is going to show up in the scorelines. For the African teams, the goal isn't just to make the round of 16. It’s to prove that the continent belongs in the final four consistently. Morocco is the safest bet to make a deep run, provided they don't lose their nerve.

If they match their efficiency from Qatar, there is no reason they can’t be a permanent fixture in the tournament's late stages. But mark my words, if Nigeria finally stops fumbling the bag, they will be the most exciting team to watch in the entire bracket. Either way, stop assuming the Europeans are going to walk it. The field is deeper than it’s ever been, and the upsets are already being written into the history books.

Just keep an eye on the defensive transitions during the group play. That is where these tournaments are won and lost. You can have all the fancy stepovers in the world, but if you leave your keeper exposed, you’re booking an early flight home. It’s time for the African nations to stop just showing up and start taking what’s rightfully theirs.