Nine Returning Moroccan Players Return to National Team After World Cup

Morocco National Team Roster Announced for 2026 World Cup

The Moroccan national team, led by coach Mohamed Ouahbi, has been named to compete in the 2026 World Cup in North America. The squad consists of 26 players, with most born in Europe.

Ouahbi drew heavily from Morocco’s diaspora community in Europe, where many of the selected players were born. The team includes several notable players, such as Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi and Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz.

Three Moroccan players had their national eligibility approved by FIFA within the past nine months. These include Fulham defender Issa Diop, PSV Eindhoven defender Anass Salah-Eddine, and Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Morocco will be based in New Jersey for the tournament, which begins on June 13 against Brazil. The team’s schedule includes matches against Scotland in Massachusetts and Haiti in Atlanta. The top two teams in each group will advance directly to the round of 16, while the third-place team may also qualify.

Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou returns to the World Cup for his third appearance at age 35. Morocco is currently the African champion, but this title could be revoked if Senegal appeals a previous victory won in January.

Morocco will participate in the 2030 World Cup as a co-host with Spain and Portugal. The tournament will feature several South American teams, including Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, which will each host one match as part of a commemorative recognition for their contributions to World Cup history.

The full roster for Morocco’s 2026 World Cup team is as follows:

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 (Real Betis), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona), Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven)

Forwards: Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis), Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiakos), Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid), Gessime Yassine (Strasbourg), Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyabe (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Source: Al Jazeera