Morocco is among the team who has well finalized the decision as to whom it is taking to FIFA World Cup in Qatar; it’s their sixth time competing in the quadrennial tournament.
Hakim Ziyech has been the talking point since the official roster announcement. The Chelsea’s attacking midfielder had announced his retirement from the national team in early 2022, way too early after having a rift with the ex-manager Vahid Halilhodzic.
PSG’s right-back Achraf Hakimi and Bayern Munich’s full-back Noussair Mazraoui also made the list.
Read further about who else has received the official call to play for Morocco in FIFA World Cup 2022. Also get acquainted with the team’s recent forms, their strengths, weaknesses, and what one can really expect them to do in the upcoming big event.
Confirmed Players Who Are Going To Play For Morocco In Qatar World Cup 2022
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Yassine Bounou | Sevilla |
| Goalkeeper | Munir Mohamedi | Al Wehda |
| Goalkeeper | Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti | Wydad AC |
| Defender | Achraf Hakimi | PSG |
| Defender | Noussair Mazraoui | Bayern Munich |
| Defender | Jawad El Yamiq | Valladolid |
| Defender | Romain Saiss | Besiktas |
| Defender | Achraf Dari | Stade Brest |
| Defender | Yahia Attiyat Allal | Wydad AC |
| Defender | Badr Benoun | Qatar SC |
| Defender | Nayef Aguerd | West Ham |
| Midfielder | Sofyan Amrabat | Fiorentina |
| Midfielder | Azzedine Ounahi | Angers |
| Midfielder | Abdelhamid Sabiri | Sampdoria |
| Midfielder | Selim Amallah | Standard Liege |
| Midfielder | Yahya Jabrane | Wydad AC |
| Midfielder | Bilal El Khannous | Genk |
| Forward | Hakim Ziyech | Chelsea |
| Forward | Zakaria Aboukhlal | Toulouse |
| Forward | Sofiane Boufal | Angers |
| Forward | Youssef En-Nesyri | Sevilla |
| Forward | Ez Abde | Osasuna |
| Forward | Amine Harit | Marseille |
| Forward | Ilias Chair | QPR |
| Forward | Abderrazak Hamdallah | Al-Ittihad |
| Forward | Walid Cheddira | Bari |
Morocco Group Table
In the initial phase of the tournament, Morocco will be facing two big names, Belgium and Croatia, and the competition’s second-time participant, Canada.
Morocco Group Fixtures
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Wed, Nov. 23 | Morocco vs. Croatia | 5 a.m. | Al Bayt |
| Sun, Nov. 27 | Belgium vs. Morocco | 8 a.m. | Al Thumama |
| Thurs, Dec. 1 | Canada vs. Morocco | 10 a.m. | Al Thumama |
Morocco Strengths
Among the Arabian countries, Morocco has the most players from top European leagues playing in their national side, approximately around 20.
Morocco particularly stands out with Ziyech’s precision and being threatful outside the box. Hakimi’s dominance in the right flank with elite-level pace is also one of the strengths of this team. Sevilla shot-stopper Bono likewise has the ability to frustrate even the golden boot candidates.
Morocco Weaknesses
One of their main men, Ziyech, recently, has had poor form with his current club, Chelsea with little to no time on the field.
Their existing mentor Walid Regragui has been with them for only a little over a couple of months and it is doubtful if the manager has brought out the best in his players within such a short span. The question is also on their coordination with each other; it will have its first major tests when they will face Belgium and Croatia in the group stage.
The one issue of concern has been Morocco’s forward Youssef En-Nesyri who often seems like going out of the game plan with his constant running and rough touches in vital moments. He also doesn’t seem to have the same scoring form which he had in the 20-21 season. The other hunter, Abderrazak Hamdallah has also been struggling to meet his true potential.
To make the situation a bit worse, Morocco doesn’t have many options left after the aforesaid names. The possibility, of missing more than one chance, looks good.
Expectations On Morocco
In the group stages, they will first face the 2018 world cup finalist, Croatia who remembering their past reputation would want to capitalize on the Atlas Lions as much as possible. Following that they have the very competition’s semi-finalist, Belgium currently 2nd in FIFA World ranking not to mention a team with more than enough talent in the mid and attacking. Most of whom are quite popular on transfer markets.
If Morocco is to make it past their group stage, they will absolutely have no option but to be at the top of their game in all three group stage games. While Belgium and Croatia seem unfair battles, even they have been having some defensive issues that Morocco could exploit with some of its particular talents. The odds say if it’s someone who is going to be a shocking entry in the knockouts it might be Morocco.
Their first and last knockout round appearance was in 1986.
