FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has praised Morocco’s remarkable football progress, saying the country has become a global reference thanks to the sustained success of its national team.
Speaking on the television program Planet Foot, Laporta said the Atlas Lions once again proved they belong among the world’s top national teams with their performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite their quarter-final defeat to France.
He highlighted the quality of Morocco’s squad, praising several players, including Azzedine Ounahi, and said the national team possesses the talent and depth needed to compete consistently with the world’s strongest football nations.
Laporta added that Morocco’s rise is the result of long-term investment in sports infrastructure, player development, and youth training, as well as the growing number of Moroccan professionals competing in Europe’s top leagues, making the country’s football model increasingly respected around the world.