Brahim Diaz of Real Madrid set to fulfil childhood dream with Morocco at World Cup

As one of Morocco's key figures, Diaz (26 caps, 14 goals) is hungry. He craves the World Cup, international appearances and trophies.

Having been crowned AFCON champions after controversially receiving the title months after the final, he now embodies the spirit of a team that, at the previous World Cup, caused major upsets as underdogs to reach the semi-finals. Now, Morocco plan to make a statement from their opening match against Brazil.

Following an inconsistent season at Real Madrid, which included difficult months under Xabi Alonso before a revival under Alvaro Arbeloa, the Spanish-Moroccan player viewed last January's AFCON as a welcome respite.

Back in Madrid, Brahim capitalised on the turbulent atmosphere at the club to secure more minutes on the pitch and slowly cement his place in the manager's first eleven.

Real Madrid produced their finest football of the campaign with Diaz in the line-up; they eliminated Manchester City from the Champions League and defeated Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu.

All of this has prepared him for the biggest moment of his life.

Childhood dream for Brahim Diaz

Diaz was aware that selecting Morocco instead of Spain offered him the opportunity of a lifetime. The Malaga-born player has been anticipating only one thing for years: his first major World Cup appearance. And it is at the MetLife Stadium where this chapter will finally unfold.

Meanwhile, his national side is turning over a new leaf. Former head coach Walid Regragui resigned, convinced that Moroccan football required a fresh start, paving the way for Mohamed Ouahbi.

Having trained in Belgium at Anderlecht, the 49-year-old joined the Moroccan set-up in 2022 with the under-20s, before taking over the under-23s in 2025.

Regragui's resignation accelerated the process: Ouahbi was suddenly promoted to head coach of the Atlas Lions with a straightforward directive: build upon what has already been accomplished.

In the current squad, Diaz continues to be the leader, just as he was under Regragui.

According to those close to him, Diaz is in perfect physical and mental shape, and has displayed absolute confidence since joining the squad after the club season ended.

The Real Madrid man heads into his first World Cup with a distinct goal: to maintain the momentum from the previous AFCON and continue to inspire an entire nation, the same nation that was captivated by the historic run of 2022.

This time, however, expectations are on a different level. Players, coaches and supporters all recognise that Morocco will face much more scrutiny than they did four years ago.

Nevertheless, the Atlas Lions still hold onto the underdog status that fits them so well. Since 2022, the squad has been heavily reinforced, most notably with the recent addition of rising star Ayyoub Bouaddi. The message is clear: this Moroccan side must be considered a serious contender.

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