Vieira Names 2026 World Cup Squad Ahead of Round of 32

Former France midfielder Patrick Vieira has said that Morocco could “cause a surprise” and reach the later stages of the World Cup.

In the 2022 tournament, the Atlas Lions became the first African nation to reach a semi‑final.

They were defeated by France, who finished as runners‑up.

Morocco has advanced to the Round of 32 in the current tournament and will play the Group F winners, the Netherlands.

“I think Morocco can be the team that can cause a surprise, and I think they have enough individual quality to reach the last eight,” Vieira said on the Rest Is Football podcast.

“But outside of Morocco, I think it will be difficult for the other smaller nations to progress to the last four.”