Morocco names strong squad for World Cup Qualifiers
Four new players have been named in Morocco's 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Niger and Tanzania scheduled for March 21 and 25.
Bilal Nadir, Chemsedine Taibi, Hamza Igamane, and Omar El Hilali, have received the thumbs up from head coach Walid Regragui as the Atlas Lions continue to integrate young players into the national team setup.
The dependable Hakim Ziyech and Ayoub El Kaabi have both been ruled out of the upcoming contests due to injuries.
Ziyech, one of Morocco’s most dependable players, and El Kaabi, a proven goal scorer have forced Regragui to rethink his attacking options.
The squad also sees Jawad El Yamiq and goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid returning after missing previous international matches.
Morocco is currently leading Group E in the qualifiers having won all their three matches played and will be looking to extend their dominance as they edge closer to securing a place at the 2026 World Cup.
With the absence of Ziyech and El Kaabi, the attacking responsibility will fall on Youssef En-Nesyri, Soufiane Rahimi, Brahim Diaz, and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.
After Morocco’s historic 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-final run, expectations remain high, and Regragui has maintained a balance between experienced leaders and emerging talents.
Key figures such as Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, and Nayef Aguerd remain crucial to the squad’s ambitions.
With a strong squad and home advantage, Morocco is expected to dominate both matches, reinforcing their reputation as one of Africa’s strongest footballing nations. (Additional reporting by CAF).
Morocco’s 26-Man Squad for World Cup Qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal), Munir El Kajoui (Al Wehda), El Mehdi Benabid (FUS Rabat).
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Noussair Mazraoui (Bayern Munich), Nayef Aguerd (West Ham United), Jawad El Yamiq (Al-Wahda), Abdel Abqar (Deportivo Alavés), Jamal Harkass (AS FAR), Omar El Hilali (Espanyol), Adam Aznou (Bayern Munich U19).
Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat (Manchester United), Azzedine Ounahi (Marseille), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven), Bilal El Khannouss (Genk), Oussama Targhalline (Le Havre), Bilal Nadir (Nice).
Forwards: Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla), Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid), Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis), Amine Adli (Bayer Leverkusen), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain), Eliesse Ben Seghir (AS Monaco), Osame Sahraoui (Heerenveen), Hamza Igamane (Wydad AC), Chemsedine Taibi (FUS Rabat).