Morocco to face Norway in high-profile World Cup warm-up friendly
The Moroccan national team will face Norway in a friendly match on 7 June 2026 as part of their preparations for the FIFA World Cup. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation announced the fixture, which will be played at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, USA. The match presents a significant test for Morocco, who are ranked eighth in the world, against a Norwegian side spearheaded by Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
The friendly is a crucial part of Morocco's build-up to the 2026 World Cup finals, where they have been drawn in Group C alongside Scotland, Haiti, and tournament favourites Brazil. Their first group match is scheduled for 14 June. According to the federation's statement, the game against Norway represents a "capital test" for the Atlas Lions under coach Mohamed Ouahbi as they fine-tune their plans for the global tournament.
For Norway, the match serves as preparation for their own World Cup campaign in Group I, where they will face France, Iraq, and Senegal. The Senegalese team, led by Aliou Cissé, were Morocco's opponents in the final of the last Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament the North Africans ultimately won. This friendly, therefore, pits the reigning African champions against a European side boasting one of the world's most formidable forwards in Haaland.
The choice of venue in the United States is strategic, allowing both teams to acclimatise to conditions similar to those they will experience during the World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Morocco's last outing was a 1-0 victory over Paraguay in March, and they will be looking to build momentum with a strong performance against a top-tier European opponent. The match offers Norway's attacking talents, including Haaland and Alexander Sørloth, a chance to measure themselves against one of international football's most resilient defences.
This fixture continues Morocco's policy of seeking high-calibre opposition in their preparations, a strategy that paid dividends ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they made a historic run to the semi-finals. The encounter is scheduled just one week before the start of the 2026 tournament, indicating both teams intend it to be a final dress rehearsal for their respective group stage challenges.
