El Bakkali finished 2nd in the 2nd heat in 8min 23sec 66/100è, behind American Kenneth Rooks with the same time (8:23:66), while Tunisia's Mohamed Amin Jhinaoui came third (8:24.20).

The other Moroccan, Salaheddine Ben Yazide, was eliminated after coming 10th in the same series with a time of 8min 38sec 14/100è.

In the 1st series, his compatriot Mohamed Tindouf was eliminated after finishing 6th in 8min 20sec 67/100è, as was Mohammed Msaad who came 9th in the 3rd series with a time of 8min 22sec 95/100è.

The top five finishers in each of the three heats secured their tickets for the final of the event.

Morocco, represented at the World Championships (Budapest - 2023) by 17 athletes (12 men and 5 women), had won 31 medals in its 18 previous appearances at the World Athletics Championships, including 11 gold, 12 silver and 8 bronze, won by 14 athletes.