Hervé Renard says Morocco’s back-to-back World Cup qualifications make it Africa’s number one team, pointing to consistency rather than isolated success.
Renard coached Morocco between 2016 and 2019, basing his evaluation on consistent global results rather than continental reputation alone. For him, repeatability is the key detail separating Morocco from other African nations that have historically produced isolated moments of success without sustained follow-through.
He took charge of the national team in February 2016 and led the country to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, its first appearance in the tournament since 1998. During his tenure, which ended in July 2019 following an Africa Cup of Nations exit, Morocco recorded a winning percentage above 55% in official matches. That period is widely viewed as having laid groundwork for the team’s later international competitiveness. Morocco’s national team operates under the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, which has overseen the country’s growth into a consistent footballing power.
Renard’s broader football résumé lends additional weight to his opinion. He has won the Africa Cup of Nations with both Zambia and Ivory Coast, giving him direct experience evaluating national teams across the continent. That background, combined with his role in Morocco’s modern rise, positions him as a credible voice on continental rankings.
According to Renard, Morocco’s results reflect tactical discipline and tournament resilience against high-level opposition. He described the team’s progress as a benchmark for African football, suggesting other national teams should view Morocco’s achievements as a realistic standard rather than an exception.
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