Much like neighbouring Tunisia, Morocco first played an official game in 1957 after gaining independence, but had been playing unofficially as far back as 1928. Although the Atlas Lions have not tasted success in the Africa Cup of Nations since 1976, they have a proud history of representing their continent at the FIFA World Cup; only Cameroon have made more appearances at the tournament, and in 1986 they became the first and only African side to top their group, despite facing stiff opposition from England, Portugal, and Poland.
