Coach Ouahbi drew closely on the nation’s diaspora in Europe the place majority of the 26 gamers he chosen had been born.
Printed On 27 Could 2026
Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi was amongst 9 gamers from Morocco’s history-making 2022 World Cup squad named for the 2026 match in North America.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who was solely employed in March, drew closely on the nation’s diaspora in Europe, the place the vast majority of the 26 gamers he chosen had been born.
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Ouahbi was himself born in Belgium, whereas Hakimi and Actual Madrid ahead Brahim Diaz are amongst 5 gamers within the squad born in Spain and whose household ties make them eligible for Morocco.
Three of Morocco’s squad – Fulham defender Issa Diop, PSV Eindhoven defender Anass Salah-Eddine and 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi – had their change of nationwide eligibility accepted by FIFA previously 9 months. Diaz has performed for Morocco since 2024 after beforehand representing Spain.
Morocco might be based in New Jersey the place it opens towards Brazil on June 13 in East Rutherford. The Atlas Lions then play Scotland in Massachusetts and end Group C towards Haiti on June 24, in Atlanta. The highest two within the standings go on to the spherical of 16, and the third-place workforce additionally might advance.
On the 2022 World Cup, when it was coached by Walid Regragui, Morocco made history as the primary semifinalist on the match from Africa.
Morocco topped its group forward of Croatia and Belgium, then shocked Spain and Portugal within the knockout rounds earlier than an injury-hit workforce misplaced to France.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who impressed in Qatar, returns for his third World Cup at age 35.
Morocco will go to the US because the African champion – for now. That title, awarded in a legal case, might be misplaced inside months on the Courtroom of Arbitration for Sport, the place Senegal has appealed to regain its victory gained on the sphere in January in Morocco.
After dropping the ultimate to Senegal 4 months in the past, Regragui stepped down and was changed by Ouahbi, who guided Morocco to the Beneath-20 World Cup title final 12 months. That workforce that beat Argentina within the closing included Strasbourg ahead Gessime Yassine, whom Ouhabi picked once more on Tuesday.
Morocco will play on the 2030 World Cup as a cohost with Spain and Portugal. South American neighbours Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay – the unique match host in 1930 – get one recreation every to host at that version as a part of a commemorative recognition for his or her contributions to World Cup historical past.
Morocco World Cup roster
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal), Munir El Kajoui (RS Berkane), Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (AS FAR)
Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United), Anass Salah-Eddine (PSV Eindhoven), Youssef Belammari (Al Ahly), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Zakaria El Ouahdi (Genk), Nayef Aguerd (Marseille), Chadi Riad (Crystal Palace), Redouane Halhal (Mechelen), Issa Diop (Fulham)
Midfielders: Samir El Mourabet (Strasbourg), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille), Neil El Aynaoui (Roma), Sofyan Amrabat (Actual Betis), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona), Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven)
Forwards: Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Actual Betis), Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiakos), Brahim Diaz (Actual Madrid), Gessime Yassine (Strasbourg), Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyabe (Eintracht Frankfurt)
