- Morocco beat the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Round of 32 in Monterrey, Mexico, on June 29, 2026
- Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi and his players recited verses from the Holy Qur’an and prayed together before the shootout
- The squad performed Sujood after Ismael Saibari scored the winning penalty, sending Morocco into the last 16 against Canada in Houston on Saturday
Morocco’s players did not gather for last-minute tactical instructions before their penalty shootout against the Netherlands. Instead, head coach Mohamed Ouahbi and his squad formed a circle to recite verses from the Holy Qur’an and pray together.
The match finished 1-1 after extra time, with Cody Gakpo scoring for the Netherlands in the 72nd minute before Issa Diop equalised for Morocco in stoppage time. Morocco went on to win the shootout 3-2.
When Ismael Saibari scored the winning penalty, Morocco’s players and coaching staff did not celebrate straight away. They first performed Sujood, bowing in prostration to thank Allah, before embracing each other.
This was not the first time Morocco’s players have turned to prayer at key moments. The Atlas Lions have prayed before important matches and performed Sujood after games throughout the tournament, in both victory and defeat.
Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui is one of the players who has spoken about the role of Islam in his life. He has talked about his wish to memorise the Holy Qur’an and his plans to continue religious studies and serve his community after he stops playing football.
Mazraoui was among Morocco’s best performers against the Netherlands, helping the defence hold firm before Yassine Bounou’s save and Saibari’s winning penalty secured the win.
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