Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has unveiled his 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Niger and Tanzania on March 21 and 25.
Four New Faces Join the Squad
Regragui has introduced four fresh names to the squad as Morocco continues to integrate young talent into the national team setup.
🔹 Bilal Nadir (Nice)
🔹 Chemsedine Taibi (FUS Rabat)
🔹 Hamza Igamane (Wydad AC)
🔹 Omar El Hilali (Espanyol)
These additions signal a commitment to squad depth and future development, ensuring a strong pipeline of talent for upcoming international competitions.
Hakim Ziyech and Ayoub El Kaabi Ruled Out
While Morocco welcomes new players, they will miss two key attacking figures due to injury.
❌ Hakim Ziyech (Galatasaray) – The team’s creative playmaker will be absent, which is a major blow to their offensive strategy.
❌ Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos) – The striker’s absence leaves a gap in Morocco’s attacking firepower.
With both stars sidelined, head coach Regragui will need to adjust his tactics and rely on other forwards to deliver goals.
Squad Boost: El Yamiq and Benabid Return
In a positive development, Jawad El Yamiq and El Mehdi Benabid have been recalled to the squad after missing previous matches.
🔹 Jawad El Yamiq (Al-Wahda) – Strengthens Morocco’s defensive depth.
🔹 El Mehdi Benabid (FUS Rabat) – Boosts the goalkeeping department as a backup to Yassine Bounou.
Morocco’s Mission: Maintain Group E Lead
Morocco currently leads Group E in the qualifiers and will look to extend their dominance with two home fixtures in Oujda.
A six-point haul from these matches would move them closer to securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Who Will Step Up in Attack?
With Ziyech and El Kaabi out, Morocco will lean on the attacking talents of:
🔥 Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla) – The main striker, expected to lead the goal-scoring charge.
🔥 Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain) – A dynamic forward who can provide pace and creativity.
🔥 Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid) – Brings flair and dribbling skills to Morocco’s attacking play.
🔥 Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis) – A promising winger who can create scoring opportunities.
Experienced Core Remains Intact
Despite the changes, Morocco retains key figures from their historic 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-final squad, including:
✅ Achraf Hakimi (PSG) – One of the best full-backs in world football.
✅ Sofyan Amrabat (Manchester United) – The midfield enforcer.
✅ Azzedine Ounahi (Marseille) – A creative playmaker.
✅ Nayef Aguerd (West Ham United) – A rock in defense.
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 (PSG)
- 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)
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Final Thoughts
With a strong squad and home advantage, Morocco is heavily favored to win both matches.
However, with key absentees like Ziyech and El Kaabi, Regragui must find the right balance between experience and youth to keep Morocco’s World Cup dream alive.
Will the Atlas Lions secure all six points in Oujda? Let us know your predictions in the comments! ⚽🔥
