Rabat – Public enthusiasm for the Moroccan national team shows no signs of slowing down. Within hours of ticket sales opening, more than 54,000 tickets were sold for the Atlas Lions’ upcoming friendly matches against Ecuador and Paraguay, indicating the continued excitement surrounding the team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to figures released by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), sales surged immediately after the official online platform went live, showing both domestic support and strong demand from the Moroccan diaspora in Europe.
The first match will see Morocco face Ecuador on March 27, 2026, at Madrid’s Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. More than 31,000 tickets were purchased shortly after sales opened.
Four days later, on March 31, 2026, the Atlas Lions will meet Paraguay at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, France. That match also recorded rapid demand, with approximately 23,000 tickets sold within five hours.
Preparation for World Cup 2026
These friendlies form part of Morocco’s structured preparation plan for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the team has been drawn alongside Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti in group C.
Facing Ecuador and Paraguay is a perfect way for Morocco to prepare tactically for the World Cup. These South American teams bring the kind of physical and technical challenge the Atlas Lions need to get ready for the competition. It’s a great chance for the coaching staff to test out the squad’s depth, try new tactics, and see how the newer players fit into the system.
The choice of Madrid and Lens as host cities is significant. Both locations have huge Moroccan communities, so you know the fans are going to show up and make these European stadiums feel exactly like a home game for the national team.
Since Morocco’s historic World Cup run in 2022 and the following performances and records, fan engagement has been strong. Selling over 50,000 tickets in just a few hours shows exactly how deep the bond is between the Atlas Lions and their supporters.