Full Breakdown
Morocco Announces 2026 World Cup Squad: Injured Captain Included, Top Scorers Omitted
5/27/2026, 10:09:24 PM
Squad Overview
On 27 May 2026 the Royal Moroccan Football Federation released a 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Captain Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain) was retained despite a thigh injury sustained in the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich. The squad lists three goalkeepers—Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal), Munir Mohamedi (RS Berkane) and Ahmed Tagnaouti (Royal Armed Forces)—and a blend of Premier League, Ligue 1 and La Liga regulars.
Background & Recent Performance
Morocco entered the tournament ranked eighth by FIFA, fresh from a historic semi-final run at Qatar 2022 and a disputed Africa Cup of Nations title awarded after Senegal’s walk-out in the 2023 final. In March 2024, Mohamed Ouahbi succeeded Walid Regragui as head coach, inheriting a side that had reached the World Cup’s last four and secured continental silverware.
Key Selections
Defensive depth features Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui, Fulham’s Issa Diop, Crystal Palace’s Chadi Riad and Sunderland winger Chemsdine Talbi. Midfield includes Lille’s uncapped Ayyoub Bouaddi, Real Betis’s Sofyan Amrabat, Girona’s Azzedine Ounahi and Stuttgart’s Bilal El Khannouss. Forwards Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid) and the newly-named Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ayoube Amaimouni join veteran Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis) and Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain). Former West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd (Marseille) also earned a place despite a three-month injury lay-off.
Notable Omissions
Joint third-all-time scorers Youssef En-Nesyri (Al-Ittihad) and Hakim Ziyech (Wydad Casablanca) were excluded, as were former internationals Sofiane Boufal, Jawad El Yamiq and Achraf Dari. Their absence was highlighted by analysts as a significant departure from the 2022 line-up.
Squad Composition & Statistics
- Goalkeepers: 3
- Defenders: 9
- Midfielders: 7
- Forwards: 7
Morocco will compete in Group C with Brazil, Scotland and Haiti. The opening match versus Brazil is scheduled for 13 June in East Rutherford, followed by Scotland on 19 June in Boston and Haiti on 24 June in Atlanta.
Official Statements & Responses
The federation’s release emphasized Ouahbi’s confidence in Hakimi’s recovery and Aguerd’s fitness, noting both players “remain fully committed to the national cause.” The announcement also confirmed the inclusion of several Premier League-based players, underscoring a “balanced blend of experience and youth.”
Criticism & Opposition
Football commentators pointed to the exclusion of En-Nesyri and Ziyech, describing it as “a surprising gap in attacking firepower” given their status among Morocco’s top scorers. Fan forums reflected disappointment, questioning the rationale behind overlooking proven goal-scorers for untested alternatives.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Source discrepancies include the goalkeeper listed as Munir Mohamedi in BBC coverage versus Munir El Kajoui in ESPN reports, and Ahmed Tagnaouti versus Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti. The forward’s name appears as Ayoub Amaimouni-Echghouyabe in one list and Ayoube Amaimouni in another. Clarification on Hakimi’s medical clearance remains absent.
What’s Next
Morocco will finalize preparations with training camps in the United States ahead of the 13 June opener. The team’s performance will be measured against Brazil’s world-beating attack, with subsequent fixtures against Scotland and Haiti offering opportunities to secure progression to the knockout stage.
