Preparation Plans Take Shape for Atlas Lions
Morocco’s national team is finalizing its preparation schedule ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with two additional friendly matches lined up before facing Norway in June.
The Atlas Lions are already confirmed to take on Norway on June 7 in Harrison, near New York, as part of their final build-up before the tournament kicks off in the United States. However, new developments indicate that the team will play two more matches on home soil prior to that encounter.
The first friendly is expected to be held on May 26 in Rabat against Burundi, with the match likely to be played behind closed doors. Burundi come into this fixture in good form, having recently secured dominant victories over Chad in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
A second preparatory match is also being finalized for June 2, again in Rabat. Morocco are expected to face Madagascar in that encounter. The East African side, currently ranked 104th in the FIFA rankings, recently played two friendly matches in Turkey, drawing with Equatorial Guinea and securing a convincing win over Kyrgyzstan.
This schedule confirms that Morocco will adopt a fully African-focused preparation before heading to the United States, ruling out earlier plans to face a CONCACAF opponent.
With stars like Brahim Díaz leading the squad, the Atlas Lions will aim to fine-tune their tactics and build momentum ahead of what promises to be a highly competitive World Cup campaign.
