Morocco’s head coach Walid Regragui’s associate, Fouad Ouahbi, says the team is no longer seen as an underdog and is prepared to challenge top football nations. Multiple reports point to Morocco’s breakthrough performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where the team became the first African side to reach the semi-finals. Morocco’s run included wins over European opponents Spain and Portugal, which helped elevate the team’s global profile and shifted expectations heading into subsequent competitions. The outlets describe Morocco as increasingly confident in its ability to compete with elite squads rather than only aim for surprise results. One report specifically references Morocco’s readiness to face heavyweight teams such as Brazil, underscoring the message that Morocco expects to test itself against the world’s best. Overall, the coverage centers on Morocco’s transition from being regarded as a challenger to being viewed as a serious contender, supported by the performance that brought it to the semi-finals in Qatar.