Fernandez looks forward to "meeting Morocco."

The Portuguese international Bruno Fernandes expressed his desire to face the Moroccan national team in the final of the 2026 World Cup, should his country reach the final match, recalling the memories left by the encounter between the two teams in the "Qatar World Cup 2022."

In statements reported by the English Manchester United website, the captain of the Portuguese midfield confirmed that facing the "Atlas Lions" would be special for him, not only because of the relationship he shares with his club teammate Noussair Mazraoui, but also due to the elimination the Portuguese team faced against Morocco in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup.

Fernandes said: "Morocco. My friend Noussair Mazraoui plays there, and there is still something stuck inside us since the last World Cup when Morocco eliminated the Portuguese team. So I want to face them this time and overcome them to restore our honor and surpass them."

These statements bring to mind the historic encounter between the two teams on December 10, 2022, at the Al Thumama Stadium in the Qatari capital Doha, when the Moroccan team achieved a historic victory with a goal scored by Youssef En-Nesyri, becoming the first African and Arab team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.

This achievement marked a turning point in the history of Moroccan and African football, as the "Atlas Lions" managed to surpass major European teams such as Belgium, Spain, and Portugal on their way to the semi-finals.

Since that elimination, many stars of the Portuguese national team have not hidden their feelings of disappointment, especially since the current generation aspired to go far in the tournament and compete for the world title. It seems that Fernandes still holds memories of that match, which explains his choice of the Moroccan team when asked about the opponent he prefers to face in the final.

Fernandes' statements also reflect the level of respect that the Moroccan national team has gained on the international stage, having become a competitor to be reckoned with in major global tournaments, thanks to the development that Moroccan football has witnessed in recent years and the remarkable results achieved by the national team.

Morocco is preparing to participate in a new edition of the World Cup with great ambitions, relying on a group of players who have accumulated significant experience in the strongest European leagues, along with the desire to build on the historic achievement made in Qatar.

On the other hand, Portugal, led by its prominent stars, including Bruno Fernandes, hopes to go as far as possible in the "2026 World Cup," in search of its first world title in history.