Morocco include uncapped teen in 26-man World Cup squad - but Scotland won't face history making stalwart
Morocco have announced their 26-man squad for the World Cup this summer.
Scotland’s World Cup opponents, Morocco, have confirmed their 26-man squad for the tournament this summer, with one notable omission made by new head coach Mohamed Ouahbi.
Ouahbi’s side begins their World Cup campaign with a clash against Brazil at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, before taking on Scotland at the same stadium six days later. They complete their Group C fixtures with a clash against Haiti in Atlanta on June 24. The Atlas Lions made history at the last tournament by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.
Their first major tournament under the tutelage of the 49-year-old former Anderlecht youth team coach, Ouahbi, replaced Walid Regragui as Morocco boss earlier this year following their AFCON defeat against Senegal on penalties and named his squad for this summer’s competition on Tuesday, with uncapped Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi included for the first time.
The 18-year-old has been a regular for Les Dogues in Ligue 1 this season as they clinched third place and a return to the Champions League for next season, starting 28 of their 34 league games. Born in Senlis, the teenager has represented France at various youth levels after being born and raised in the country, but has opted to switch allegiances earlier this month, with FIFA approving the switch on May 15.
The 6ft 1in midfielder joined a stacked list of midfield options, and is named in the squad ahead of Imran Louza, Oussama Targhalline and Mohamed Rabie Hrimat, who all miss out on the World Cup roster. Alongside that trio, stalwart Youssef En-Nesyri has also missed the cut.
The 28-year-old plays his club football in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ittihad and was a key part of the history-making squad at Qatar 2022. However, despite featuring in all seven of the team’s AFCON matches earlier this season, he has been omitted from the squad. Former Chelsea and Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech has also been left out.
English Premier League stars Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland), Issa Diop (Fulham), Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United) and Chadi Riad (Crystal Palace) have also been included in the squad alongside Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart), Sofyan Amrabat (Real Betis) and Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid). Paris Saint-German defender Achraf Hakimi will captain the team.
Full Morocco squad for World Cup 2026
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal), Munir El Kajoui (Berkane), Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (Asfar)
Defenders: Nayef Aguerd (Marseille), Youssef Belammari (Al Ahly), Issa Diop (Fulham), Zakaria El Ouahdi (Genk), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Redouane Halhal (KV Mechelen), Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United), Chadi Riad (Crystal Palace), Anass Salah-Eddine (PSV, on loan from Roma)
Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat (Real Betis), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille), Neil El Aynaoui (Roma), Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart), Samir El Mourabet (Strasbourg), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona), Ismael Saibari (PSV)
Forwards: Ayoube Amaimouni (Eintracht Frankfurt), Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos), Abde Ezzalzouli (Real Betis), Yassine Gessime (Strasbourg), Soufiane Rahimi (Al-Ain), Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland).
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.