“Morocco will beat Scotland” — Ex-Super Eagles 2002 World Cup player predicts

Morocco and Scotland will face off at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough in their matchday two clash of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C on Friday night, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Atlas Lions head into the game in search of their first win of the tournament after playing out an impressive 1-1 draw against five-time champions Brazil in their opening fixture.

Scotland, meanwhile, top the group after securing a 1-0 victory over Haiti in their first game. A win here would see them book a place in the next round, making the encounter even more difficult as they look capable of troubling Morocco.

Both teams approach the match with contrasting styles. Morocco rely on high-intensity pressing and possession-based football, while Scotland are more comfortable sitting deep and hitting opponents on the counter. However, the African champions remain overwhelming favourites heading into the tie.

2026 World Cup: Femi Opabunmi backs Morocco to overcome Scotland test 

Former Nigerian international Femi Opabunmi, who represented the Super Eagles at the 2002 World Cup and remains the youngest Nigerian to feature at the tournament, believes Morocco have what it takes with their structure and experience to come out on top.

The Atlas Lions enjoyed a deep run at the 2022 World Cup, where they made history as the first African nation to reach the semifinals. Opabunmi is confident that experience will be key against Scotland, who are competing at the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

“Regarding the Morocco game against Scotland, Morocco will overcome Scotland—that’s for sure”, Opabunmi said, via Footy-Africa.

“They will overcome them, that’s for sure, because you can see that this Morocco team is well-organized. They have proved themselves on African soil and on the world stage. They are playing their best at the moment to make sure that they are doing well.

“This is different from the Brazil game. It’s going to be open and both sides would want to go for it, but I think Morocco will win.

“Scotland beat Haiti in their opening game, but I know that Morocco will be tough for Scotland in this second match. hey have good players and a great coach, so I see Morocco going far”, the former Grasshoppers winger added.

Just like Opabunmi represented the Super Eagles at the 2002 World Cup as a teenager, Morocco youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi also made his World Cup debut against Brazil at a young age.

The 18-year-old delivered a standout performance in midfield on the night, and while Opabunmi praised him for not letting the occasion overwhelm him, he also backed him for a strong tournament run.

“As for the young player playing for Morocco (Ayyoub Bouaddi), I’m sure it’s a dream come true for him to play in a big event like the World Cup,” Opabunmi retorted.

“It’s not an easy task, because I also featured for Nigeria at the World Cup as a teenager, but we have to glorify the Lord and thank God for the gift of life.

“It is a dream for any footballer to play in the World Cup; that’s the biggest event in life. He’s very good and I wish him all the best.”

The ex-Super Eagles forward then echoed his earlier comments, backing them up with a strong prediction of a Morocco victory ahead of the encounter.

“So, game against Scotland, Morocco will come out successfully. I predict the game will end 2-1 Morocco victory.”

Morocco will conclude their Group C campaign against Haiti on June 24 as they look to secure qualification for the next round and replicate their historic achievement from four years ago.