Morocco will face Croatia, Belgium, and Canada in Group F at the Qatar World Cup and will need to be at the top of their game if they are to reach the knockout rounds for the first time since 1986.
They rely on consistency in discipline, though, so don’t be surprised to see them riding the crest of a wave toward the last 16. This was the main reason behind Morocco’s decision to sack coach Vahid Halilhodzic three months before the World Cup.
The Bosnian’s numerous dust-ups with team leaders such as Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech and Bayern Munich full-back Nosair Mazraoui eventually angered fans and the FA. Halilhojic’s exit in August paved the way for the pair’s return, and 45-time former Moroccan international and CAF Champions League-winning coach Walid Regragui to lead the Atlas Lions in Qatar. Their limited preparation may prove decisive.
In qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, Morocco took advantage of their state-of-the-art facilities by inviting opponents to play their respective ‘home’ matches in Morocco, after CAF cracked down on run-down stadiums around Africa. . 6 wins from 6, 20 goals and one against, their only away game was the first leg of the playoffs against DR Congo, which they drew.
With Ziyech’s precision creating chances, PSG’s Hakimi providing pace and drive to dominate down the right flank, and Sevilla goalkeeper Bono reading the game brilliantly to frustrate even the best strikers, Morocco is in safe hands.
However, the Atlas Lions lack a consistent focal point. Sevilla forward Youssef N-Nessiri offers constant running but can be clumsy at crucial moments. Abderrazak Hamdallah – best known as ‘The Executioner’ – has also failed to hold on to the burgundy No.9 shirt.
Moroccan fans will be traveling in strong numbers, and the North African diaspora in Qatar in particular will be a big supporter, so expect some raucous support.
Morocco World Cup 2022 squad: Final 26-man squad
GK: Yassin Bonou (Sevilla)
GK: Munir El Kazoui (Al Wehda)
GK: Ahmed Reda Tagnauti (Widad Casablanca)
DF: Nayef Aguerd (West Ham United)
DF: Yahia Attiat Allah (Wydad Casablanca)
DF: Badr Benoun (Qatar SC)
DF: Acharaf Dari (Stad Brest)
DF: Javad El Yamik (Real Valladolid)
DF: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint Germain)
DF: Noussair Mazraoui (Bayern Munich)
DF: Romain Saiss (Besiktas)
MF: Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina)
MF: Selim Amallah (Standard Lease)
MF: Bilal El Khanous (Racing Genk)
MF: Yahya Jabarane (Wida Casablanca)
MF: Azzedine Ounahi (Angers)
MF: Abdelhamid Sabiri (Sampdoria)
FW: Zakaria Aboukhlal (Toulouse)
FW: Soufiane Boufal (Angers)
FW: Elias Chair (Queens Park Rangers)
FW: Walid Chedira (Bari)
FW: Youssef N-Nessiri (Sevilla)
FW: Abde Ijjaljouli (Osasuna)
FW: Abdrarajak Hamdallah (Al Ittihad)
FW: Amine Harit (Olympic Marseille)
FW: Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea)
Who is Morocco’s manager for the 2022 World Cup?
Walid Regragui is the prototypical new breed of African coach: young, media-trained, player-friendly, and an ex-international with valuable playing experience in Europe. The 46-year-old is a rising star who won the CAF Champions League with Wydad in May; A positive result at Qatar 2022 could finally bring him back to European football.
Who is Morocco’s best player?
When representing his national team, Achraf Hakimi has a license to pop up all over the pitch and is rumored to use that extra lung – he plays as a left or right full-back and sometimes on the wing. With scarce striking options, Morocco is relying on Hakimi to create chance after chance – with 24 in November but already 50 caps.