Morocco secured qualification for the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Haiti 4-2 in an entertaining Group C finale at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday. The Atlas Lions recovered twice from deficits before producing a dominant second-half display to seal their place in the knockout stage.
The match began in dramatic fashion as Haiti opened the scoring in the 10th minute following an unfortunate own goal involving Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Despite the early setback, Morocco gradually took control of possession and found an equalizer through captain Achraf Hakimi in the 39th minute.
Haiti regained the lead just four minutes later when Wilson Isidor found the net, but Morocco responded immediately before the halftime whistle. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari scored deep into first-half stoppage time, sending both teams into the break level at 2-2.
Morocco raised the intensity after the restart, creating several opportunities while limiting Haiti’s attacking chances. The breakthrough arrived in the 78th minute when substitute Soufiane Rahimi finished clinically to give the Atlas Lions their first lead of the evening.
Young striker Yassine Gessime put the result beyond doubt in the closing stages, scoring Morocco’s fourth goal in the 89th minute to complete an impressive comeback and secure a memorable victory.
The win allows Morocco to finish second in Group C with the same number of points as Brazil, who claimed top spot on goal difference after defeating Scotland 3-0 in the other group fixture.
