Rabat – Former Belgium international Marouane Fellaini has expressed confidence in Morocco’s chances of competing for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, saying he hopes the Atlas Lions can lift the trophy on home soil.

Speaking to Egyptian broadcaster ON Sport, Fellaini, who is of Moroccan descent, acknowledged the national team’s progress and the quality of its players.

“Any national team can win the World Cup. Morocco, France, Brazil, and other major teams all have legitimate ambitions,” he said.

“I cannot predict what will happen, but Morocco have a chance because they have very good players, and Moroccan football has developed significantly in recent years.”

The former Manchester United midfielder also expressed his personal hopes for the Atlas Lions.

“I hope Morocco wins the World Cup, God willing. Nobody can guarantee that in advance, but Morocco certainly have the quality and the opportunity to compete,” he added.

Fellaini reflects on choosing Belgium over Morocco

During the interview, Fellaini also revisited his decision to represent Belgium rather than Morocco, explaining that circumstances were different when he made his international choice nearly two decades ago.

Asked whether he would make the same decision today, the former midfielder said it was difficult to compare the two periods.

“It is difficult to answer that question now because it happened 20 years ago,” he explained.

Fellaini recalled that Belgium’s national team coach approached him when he was just 18, at a time when he was already playing regularly.

He maintained that rejecting the opportunity would have been difficult and insisted that he had no regrets about his decision.

However, he acknowledged that Moroccan football has changed considerably since then.

According to Fellaini, the national team’s development and recent performances have made representing Morocco an increasingly attractive option for players with dual nationality.

Morocco prepare for historic 2030 World Cup

Morocco will jointly host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, becoming the second African country to stage matches at the tournament.

The Atlas Lions made history in Qatar in 2022 by becoming the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal.

They followed that achievement by reaching the quarterfinals of the 2026 edition, where France ended their campaign.

With four years remaining before the tournament returns to Moroccan soil, Fellaini believes the national team’s progress gives it reason to aim for another historic achievement.