Morocco
Coach: Mohamed Ouahbi
Starting XI Prediction
Star Players
All Players →
Fixtures
Group C
Full Squad Players List
| # | Player | Pos | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | |||
| 1 | Yassine BounouXI Al Hilal SC | GK | |
| 12 | Munir El Kajoui RS Berkane | GK | |
| 22 | Reda Tagnaouti ASFAR | GK | |
| Defenders | |||
| 2 | Achraf HakimiXI Paris Saint-Germain | DEF | |
| 3 | Noussair MazraouiXI Manchester United FC | DEF | |
| 5 | Nayef AguerdXI Olympique Marseille | DEF | |
| 13 | Zakaria El Ouahdi KRC Genk | DEF | |
| 14 | Issa Diop Fulham FC | DEF | |
| 18 | Chadi RiadXI Crystal Palace FC | DEF | |
| 19 | Youssef Belammari Al Ahly FC | DEF | |
| 25 | Redouane Halhal KV Mechelen | DEF | |
| 26 | Anass Salah-Eddine PSV Eindhoven | DEF | |
| Midfielders | |||
| 4 | Sofyan AmrabatXI Real Betis | MID | |
| 6 | Ayyoub BouaddiXI Lille OSC | MID | |
| 7 | Chemsdine Talbi Sunderland AFC | MID | |
| 8 | Azzedine OunahiXI Girona FC | MID | |
| 11 | Ismael Saibari PSV Eindhoven | MID | |
| 15 | Samir El Mourabet RC Strasbourg | MID | |
| 16 | Gessime Yassine RC Strasbourg | MID | |
| 23 | Bilal El Khannouss VfB Stuttgart | MID | |
| 24 | Neil El Aynaoui AS Roma | MID | |
| Forwards | |||
| 9 | Soufiane Rahimi Al Ain FC | FWD | |
| 10 | Brahim DíazXI Real Madrid C. F. | FWD | |
| 17 | Abde EzzalzouliXI Real Betis | FWD | |
| 20 | Ayoub El KaabiXI Olympiacos FC | FWD | |
| 21 | Ayoube Amaimouni Eintracht Frankfurt | FWD | |
World Cup History
—
Titles
7
Appearances
20
WC Goals
7
Wins
Best finish: 4th place (2022)
Top scorer: Youssef En-Nesyri (4 goals)
Most capped: Achraf Hakimi (7 matches)
Record: 7W – 5D – 11L
Morocco made history at the 2022 World Cup — becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals, defeating Belgium, Spain, and Portugal along the way. The Atlas Lions' run captivated the entire Arab and African world. Combining domestic and European-based players, Morocco have become Africa's standard-bearer and arrive at 2026 as serious contenders.
Tournament Eras
First African Win — 1986
1970–1986Morocco made their debut in 1970 and became the first African nation to advance from the group stage in 1986, finishing ahead of England, Poland, and Portugal in Group F — one of the great shocks of the era. They were eliminated in the Round of 16 by West Germany but the achievement elevated African football permanently.
The Lean Years
1994–2018Morocco qualified in 1994 and 1998 without advancing past the group stage, then missed the next five tournaments. The 2018 return ended with a group stage exit — but the squad included players like Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi who would define the 2022 revolution.
The 2022 Miracle — Africa's Historic Run
2022Under Walid Regragui, Morocco became the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. They beat Belgium, Spain (on penalties), and Portugal before losing 2-0 to France. Every match saw Morocco's Atlas Lions defended heroically with Yassine Bounou in goal. The achievement was acclaimed across Africa and the Arab world as a generational moment.
Iconic Moments
Spain Defeated on Penalties — 2022 Quarter-Final
Morocco held Spain scoreless through 120 minutes and then saved all three Spanish penalties in the shootout — goalkeeper Bounou kept out Sarabia, Soler, and Busquets. The result sent shockwaves through world football and sparked celebrations from Casablanca to Paris.
1986 — Africa's First Group Stage Advancement
Morocco topped a group containing England, Portugal, and Poland — the first African team to advance from the group stage in World Cup history. The achievement came 36 years before their 2022 semi-final and remains a landmark moment for African football.
Portugal Eliminated — Last 8
Morocco defeated Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal 1-0 in the quarter-finals — with Youssef En-Nesyri's soaring header the only goal. Ronaldo, playing what appeared to be his last World Cup, was reduced to tears. The result confirmed Morocco among the world elite.