H.H. Sheikh Mohammed hails Morocco's 'fighting spirit' in World Cup run

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has praised Morocco's "fighting spirit" after they booked a slot in the World Cup quarter finals with a 3-0 defeat against Canada.

In a social media post, Sheikh Mohammed congratulated the "Atlas Lions" for their "victory".

"Congratulations on qualifying for the quarterfinals of the World Cup... A strong performance... and a fighting spirit that we rejoice in and take pride in," he wrote.

He also extended his wishes to the people of Morocco and King Mohammed VI, praying for the team's "success in their upcoming matches".

ألف مبروك لأسود الأطلس فوزهم اليوم .. ألف مبروك التأهل لربع النهائي في كأس العالم .. أداء قوي .. وروح قتالية نفرح ونفخر بها ..

مبروك لشعب المغرب الشقيق ولأخي جلالة الملك محمد السادس .. وكل الدعوات بالتوفيق في مبارياتهم القادمة . pic.twitter.com/8O4Dh3fV0Q

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) July 4, 2026

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister, also took to social media to mark Morocco's World Cup run.

"A well-deserved joy for the Atlas Lions with their qualification today to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, after a strong performance and high spirit that embodied the determination of the brotherly Moroccan national team," he wrote.

فرحة مستحقة لأسود الأطلس بتأهلهم اليوم إلى ربع نهائي كأس العالم، بعد أداء قوي وروح عالية جسدت عزيمة المنتخب المغربي الشقيق.

نبارك لجلالة الملك محمد السادس وللشعب المغربي هذا الإنجاز، ونتمنى للمغرب الشقيق كل التوفيق في مواصلة مشواره المشرف. pic.twitter.com/yRErkdcuBO

— منصور بن زايد (@MansourBinZayed) July 4, 2026

Azzedine Ounahi scored twice as Morocco beat Canada 3-0 in the World Cup last 16 on Saturday, ending the record run of the co-hosts in the tournament and advancing to the quarter-finals for a second time in a row.