After the disappointment of losing the African Cup of Nations final, the Moroccan national team is preparing to open a new page through two friendly matches against Ecuador and Paraguay in late March, as part of its preparations for the 2026 World Cup finals. The two matches constitute an early test for its coach, Walid Regragui, before entering the midst of global competition, in an effort to restore confidence and improve readiness.

Published on: 02/11/2026 - 22:49

In preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals scheduled this summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada, the Moroccan national team will play two friendly matches against Ecuador and Paraguay on March 27 and 31, respectively.

These two matches represent the first appearance for the “Atlas Lions” since losing the controversial and chaotic final confrontation of the African Cup of Nations at home to Senegal 0-1 after extra time last month.

The Moroccan national team is expected to meet its Ecuadorian counterpart on March 27 at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, before facing Paraguay four days later in the French city of Lens.

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The Moroccan national team, the fourth in the last edition in Qatar, begins its campaign with a difficult confrontation against Brazil, led by Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on June 13 in the third group competitions, before facing Scotland in Boston and Haiti in Atlanta on the 19th and 23rd.

Coach Walid Regragui's team was on the verge of winning the continental competition title for the first time since 1976, but it lost in the decisive confrontation against Senegal in a confrontation that the Moroccans were able to decide after awarding them a penalty kick before the end of the regular time of the match, but Real Madrid's Spanish star, Ibrahim Abdelkader Diaz, missed it after he tried to execute it using the "Panenka" method.

In objection to its being counted, the Senegalese team had withdrawn from the field for several minutes, before reversing its decision and completing the match, which it had decided after extra time, with a goal by Labab Gui (94).

France 24/AFP

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