Morocco versus Haiti

Group stage Scheduled Group C
0–0

Morocco

Morocco arrive as the breakout story of the modern era, the first African nation to reach a tournament semi-final after their stunning 2022 run that ended only against eventual champions France. Walid Regragui, the architect of that miracle, remains in charge. Achraf Hakimi (PSG) drives the right flank with a balance of pace and tactical maturity rarely seen at full-back. Hakim Ziyech provides creativity from the wing; Sofyan Amrabat is the metronome; goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal) is one of the world's best between the posts. Group C with Brazil, Haiti and Scotland is winnable; second place would set up an intriguing knockout path. The Atlas Lions are no longer underdogs.

Haiti

Haiti return to the global stage for the first time since 1974, ending a 52-year absence that became one of football's longest aches. The path through CONCACAF qualifying — fueled by a small diaspora-built squad — has been called the greatest achievement in Caribbean football history. Sébastien Migné directs a roster heavy with Ligue 2 and Belgian Pro League players; Frantzdy Pierrot (Bordeaux) provides the cutting edge, with Duckens Nazon adding international experience. Group C with Brazil, Morocco and Scotland is brutal on paper, and survival is unlikely — but for a nation rebuilding after years of political and economic turmoil, simply lining up at the opening whistle is a victory. Every minute of football matters here.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosts eight matches in 2026, including a round-of-16 fixture, anchoring the tournament in the American South. Located in downtown Atlanta, the venue opened in 2017 with a distinctive retractable roof that opens and closes in eight pie-shaped petals — a design unique among modern stadiums. Capacity for football is approximately 71,000. Home to the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta United MLS franchise, it brings genuine football operations expertise to the tournament. The retractable roof is decisive in Atlanta's humid summers, where afternoon heat indices can exceed 40°C. The stadium has been retrofitted from artificial turf to natural grass for the tournament. Atlanta's status as a major Black metropolis and the Southeast's commercial centre makes it a strategic choice — and the city has actively cultivated football culture for nearly a decade.