Sofiane Boufal of Le Havre. Photo by Jean Catuffe/DPPI/Shutterstock (16786716u)
Sunday May 10, 2026. 11:01
Moroccan star Sofiane Boufal is targeting a return to the Atlas Lions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after rediscovering his form with French Ligue 1 side Le Havre.
The experienced winger has impressed since joining in January, earning Player of the Month for February and regaining confidence and fitness through regular playing time.
While prioritizing Le Havre’s survival in Ligue 1, Boufal remains motivated by his past experiences with Morocco and hopes his recent performances will reopen the door to international selection.
“I feel very good. I was lucky to be able to sign for this club that suits me… My priority objective is the club’s survival. And if there is this World Cup, I will be the happiest,” the 32-year-old told Foot Mercato.
“When I signed for HAC, I didn’t sign here to go to the World Cup. I signed for HAC because I had this opportunity… You shouldn’t force things, they happen naturally. I don’t wake up telling myself that I have to go to the World Cup. It’s the pitch that will speak.”
On the 2022 World Cup semi-final, where Morocco lost 2-0 to France, Boufal said, “It was the 6th match… Physically, we were exhausted… The action with Théo Hernandez is a bit confusing. At that moment, there is contact and he touches me. But… I didn’t even have the feeling that it was him who committed the foul.”
Boufal has 46 caps and eight goals for Morocco’s Atlas Lions since debuting in 2016, starring in their 2022 World Cup semi-final run but with no call-ups since January 2024 while hoping to return in 2026.
Morocco will face Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland in Group C of the 2026 World Cup in North America.