Morocco’s squad for the 2022 World Cup has been announced, with Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi as the star players among the 26.
Morocco will face Croatia, Belgium and Canada in Group F of the Qatar World Cup, and will need to be at the top of their game if they are to make their first round of 16 appearance since 1986.
However, they rely on unity rather than discipline, so don’t be surprised to see them riding the crest of a wave towards the knockout stages. That was the gist of the decision behind the dismissal of Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic just three months before the World Cup.
The Bosnian’s multiple run-ins with team bosses such as Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech and Bayern Munich full-back Noussair Mazraoui ultimately angered fans and the FA. Halilhodzic’s departure in August paved the way for this duo to return, and Walid Regragui, a 45-time former Morocco international and CAF Champions League-winning coach, at the helm of the Atlas Lions in Qatar . Their limited preparation can prove decisive.
In qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, Morocco took advantage of their state-of-the-art facilities by inviting each opponent to play their respective “home” matches in Morocco, following a CAF crackdown on the dilapidated stadiums of Africa. . After six out of six wins, 20 goals for and one against, their only away game was the first leg of the play-off against DR Congo, which they drew.
With Ziyech’s precision generating chances, PSG’s Hakimi providing the pace and drive to dominate the right flank, and Sevilla goalkeeper Bono reading the game superbly to frustrate even elite strikers, Morocco are in good shape. hands.
However, the Atlas Lions lack a cohesive focal point. Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri offers relentless runs but can be clumsy when it matters. Abderrazak Hamdallah – brilliantly nicknamed ‘the executioner’ – also failed to retain the burgundy No.9 jersey.
Moroccan fans will be traveling in large numbers and will be particularly aided by a huge North African diaspora in Qatar, so expect vocal support.
Morocco squad for the 2022 World Cup
Morocco squad for the 2022 World Cup: The last squad of 26 players
- GK: Yassine Bounou (Sevilla)
- GK: Munir El Kajoui (Al Wehda)
- G: Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (Wydad Casablanca)
- Defender: Nayef Aguerd (West Ham United)
- Defender: Yahia Attiat Allah (Wydad Casablanca)
- Defender: Badr Benoun (Qatar SC)
- Defender: Achraf Dari (Stade Brest)
- Defender: Jawad El Yamiq (Real Valladolid)
- Defender: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Defender: Noussair Mazraoui (Bayern Munich)
- Defender: Romain Saiss (Besiktas)
- Midfielder: Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina)
- Midfielder: Selim Amallah (Standard Liège)
- Midfielder: Bilal El Khannouss (Racing Genk)
- FM: Yahya Jabrane (Wydad Casablanca)
- Midfielder: Azzedine Ounahi (Angers)
- Midfielder: Abdelhamid Sabiri (Sampdoria)
- AT: Zakaria Aboukhlal (Toulouse)
- AT: Soufiane Boufal (Angers)
- FW: Ilias Chair (Queens Park Rangers)
- AT: Walid Cheddira (Bari)
- AT: Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla)
- AT: Abde Ezzalzouli (Osasuna)
- AT: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al Ittihad)
- AT: Amine Harit (Olympic Marseille)
- AT: Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea)
Morocco top scorers
Morocco top scorers
Morocco are yet to score at the 2022 World Cup.
Morocco yellow cards
Morocco yellow cards
A yellow: Sofyan Amrabat
Coach of Morocco
Who is Morocco’s coach for the 2022 World Cup?
Walid Regragui is the prototype of the new breed of African coaches: young, media-educated, player-friendly and a former international with valuable playing experience in Europe. The 46-year-old, who won the CAF Champions League with Wydad in May, is a rising star; positive results at Qatar 2022 could eventually bring him back to European football.
The star of Morocco
Who is Morocco’s best player?
When representing his national team, Achraf Hakimi has the license to appear all over the pitch and use that extra lung he would have – he’s played as a left or right back and even sometimes on the wing. With few striking options, Morocco are counting on Hakimi – 24 in November but already with 50 caps – to create chance after chance.
How many players is Morocco allowed to bring to the 2022 World Cup?
National managers were allowed to bring 26 players to last summer’s European Championship for the first time at a major tournament, as a special measure introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic – while the Last year’s Copa America allowed teams of 28 players.
It has now been announced that 26-man squads will return for the Qatar World Cup, an extension of the usual 23-man squads.
