While the Lions of the Atlas are about to make their entry into the World Cup 2026the memory of Mexico 86 remains more alive than ever. On June 11, 1986, Morocco wrote one of the most beautiful pages in its sporting history by beating Portugal (3-1) during the World Cup in Mexico. Thanks in particular to the double of Abderrazak Khaïri and for the purpose of Abdelkrim Merrythe Atlas Lions became the first African and Arab selection to reach the round of 16 of a World Cup. Forty years later, as the world of football prepares to experience a new World Cup in North America, the two Moroccan legends shared their memories during an evening called “Hkaya Bdat f Mexico”in front of an audience of enthusiasts who came to celebrate this historic anniversary.
“We are proud to have honored Morocco”
For his part, Abdelkrim Merry, better known as Krimauinsisted on the importance of transmission between generations. “Forty years later, this affects me enormously. The Moroccans have never forgotten this team. Everywhere I go, people still talk to me about 1986,” confided the former striker. For him, the legacy of Mexico 86 must serve as a source of inspiration for the men of Mohamed Ouahbi. “We want this team to make history like we made it in 1986, like Walid Regragui’s team did in 2022,” he said. The former Lion of the Atlas thus believes that Morocco now has the means to nurture great ambitions on the world stage.
Beyond the celebration of a historic feat, the evening organized in Casablanca above all served to recall the progress made by Moroccan football in four decades. The first African nation to reach the round of 16 in 1986, the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals in 2022, Morocco has gradually established itself as one of the benchmarks in world football.
