New Morocco Coach Ouahbi Rings Changes for 2026 World Cup

...Name Aguerd in, En-Nesyri drop 
...Hakimi, Amrabat lead charge for glory
 
By Maxwell Kumoye
 
 
 
New Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi has unveiled a bold 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, retaining experienced stars like Achraf Hakimi and Sofyan Amrabat while making several surprise decisions ahead of the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Ouahbi, who succeeded Walid Regragui in March after previously handling Morocco’s U-20 side, included defender Nayef Aguerd despite the Marseille centre-back not playing since early March due to injury.

Aguerd, a key member of Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, is yet to fully recover but has been handed the opportunity to prove his fitness before the tournament begins.

One of the biggest talking points from the squad announcement was the omission of experienced striker Youssef En-Nesyri, who played a pivotal role in Morocco’s unforgettable World Cup campaign in Qatar and also featured at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.

Ouahbi’s squad also reflects a shift towards youth and renewal, highlighted by the inclusion of highly-rated midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who recently switched international allegiance from France to Morocco.

The Lille midfielder expressed his excitement after receiving his call-up.

“A dream come true, but above all the start of a new chapter, with even more work, rigor and responsibilities,” Bouaddi wrote on X.

“I am aware of the privilege I have to defend these colours, and I will give everything to represent my country in the best possible way.”

The Atlas Lions will still rely heavily on their experienced core, with Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou expected to lead the team at the tournament.

Another notable return is goalkeeper Ahmed Tagnaouti, who earned his first national team call-up since the 2022 World Cup after helping Royal Armed Forces reach the African Champions League final.

Morocco will begin their Group C campaign against Brazil in New Jersey on June 13 before facing Scotland in Boston six days later. 

Their final group match will be against Haiti in Miami on June 24 as the North Africans seek another memorable World Cup run.

The Squad:

GOALKEEPERS:
✓ Yassine Bounou - Al Hilal
✓ ⁠Munir Mohamedi - RS Berkane
✓ Ahmed Tagnaouti - Royal Armed Forces

DEFENDERS:
✓ Noussair Mazraoui - Manchester United
✓ Anass Salah-Eddine - PSV Eindhoven
✓ Youssef Belammari - Al Ahly
✓ Nayef Aguerd - Marseille
✓ Chadi Riad - Crystal Palace
✓ Issa Dio£kimi - Paris St-Germain
✓ Zakaria El Ouahdi - Genk

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 - Olympiacos
✓ Brahim Diaz - Real Madrid
✓ Yassine Gessime - Strasbourg
✓ Ayoub Amaimouni Echghouyabe - Eintracht Frankfurt

RESERVES:

Goalkeeper:
✓ El Mehdi Al Harrar - Raja Casablanca

Centre-back:
✓ Marwane Saâdane - Al-Fateh

Winger:
✓ Amine Sbaï - Angers

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