Herve Renard has praised Morocco’s progress after the Lions of the Atlas became the first African nation to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup in two successive editions.
Renard, who has managed five African national teams and won the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia in 2012 and Cote d’Ivoire in 2015, was assessing the continent’s performances at the 2026 World Cup.
Africa began the tournament with a record 10 teams in the group stage, and nine initially advanced to the knockout phase. Tunisia were the only exception after suffering a 5-1 defeat by Sweden in their opening match.
Renard took charge of Tunisia during the competition following the dismissal of Sabri Lamouchi. Despite that setback, the overall results produced considerable satisfaction across Africa and appeared to show that the continent could benefit from the expanded 48-team format by increasing its chances of qualification.
That optimism came after a controversy involving UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who said some matches were “without interest” in comments seen as an indirect reference to teams from outside Europe, including African nations.
The knockout stage then brought a sharp change in fortunes. Seven of the 10 African teams were eliminated in the round of 32. Morocco and Egypt progressed, but the Atlas Lions would eventually remain Africa’s only representatives in the competition after reaching the quarter-finals.
Their achievement marked the second consecutive World Cup at which Morocco had reached that stage, a first for an African nation.
Renard, who coached Morocco between 2016 and 2019, has repeatedly spoken positively about the country’s football development. He endorsed the former team’s latest campaign and outlined what he considers to be behind its continued progress.
The French coach identified differences in mentality, ambition and infrastructure as factors separating Morocco from many of its African counterparts at present. His assessment focused on the foundations that have allowed the North African side to continue competing at the highest level of international football.
Renard has now returned to the Cote d’Ivoire job for a second spell, having resumed control at the start of August.
His new tenure will begin with two Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying fixtures. Cote d’Ivoire will face Ghana in Bouake on 24 September before meeting Somalia in Abidjan on 29 September.
The Elephants will then play Cameroon in a friendly on 3 October, also in Abidjan.