Morocco Release 2026 World Cup Squad: Hakimi Leads Atlas Lions Under New Boss Ouahbi

Mohamed Ouahbi has officially unveiled Morocco’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking his first major tournament announcement as head coach of the Atlas Lions. Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi unveiled the country’s final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup during a press conference at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.

Key Details At A Glance

After making history at Qatar 2022 by becoming the first African nation ever to reach a World Cup semifinal, Morocco arrives once again with enormous expectations and one of the most talented generations in all of African football. This time, however, it is under entirely new management — and with several significant departures from the squad that made history four years ago.

Morocco’s Full 26-Man 2026 World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers (3)

Defenders (9)

Midfielders (7)

Forwards (7)

Reserve Players (3)

The New Manager: Mohamed Ouahbi’s Historic Promotion

Just months before the World Cup, Walid Regragui resigned on March 5, 2026, with former youth team boss Mohamed Ouahbi stepping up as his successor. This is his first managerial role with a senior side, with the majority of his work coming in the youth setups of Anderlecht and Morocco. He does have a winning streak, though, having led an Atlas Lions youth squad to Under-20 World Cup glory last year, becoming only the second African side to do so in history. 

Discussing his World Cup squad selection, Ouahbi said: “We relied heavily on the training camp, and I’d already said at the first camp in March that some players who weren’t there also had the chance to make it to the World Cup.”

Ouahbi’s Coaching Profile

Achraf Hakimi: The Captain, The Leader, The Star

.Achraf Hakimi is the captain and also the most experienced player in the squad with 95 caps. The right back from Paris Saint-Germain is one of the most important players in the squad. Under Luis Enrique at PSG, he has established himself as one of the best full-backs in the world, and among the best players overall.

In his time working with the Spaniard he has recorded 28 goals, including in the Champions League final and semi-final last season. He has a tenacious work ethic and will provide plenty of energy on the right flank for as long as Morocco are at the tournament in America.

Brahim Díaz: Morocco’s Attacking Jewel

Real Madrid attacking midfielder Brahim Díaz had a tournament to remember at the recent AFCON — top scorer, five goals in five games — and brings that momentum to his first World Cup. Brahim Díaz will be the attacking fulcrum, especially after his star showing at the Africa Cup of Nations a few months ago (penalty kick notwithstanding). 

Indeed, 13 goals from just 24 caps since switching allegiances from Spain prove he is Morocco’s key attacking threat. He netted five goals across seven games at the Africa Cup of Nations a few months ago, although he did miss a penalty in the final. Brahim Díaz missed the crucial spot kick in that game, but as one of the nation’s brightest stars he will be keen to set the record straight at the World Cup.

The Biggest Omissions: En-Nesyri, Ziyech And Boufal Gone

Sofiane Boufal, Youssef En-Nesyri, and Hakim Ziyech are the major absentees from this list. Indeed, experienced forward Youssef En-Nesyri is not part of the 26-man squad traveling to North America this summer. The 28-year-old has scored 25 goals for Morocco across 92 appearances, which included three at this very competition over the 2018 and 2022 editions. 

One of the biggest surprises of the squad announcement was the absence of Sofiane Boufal, one of the heroes of Morocco’s historic run at the 2022 World Cup. The current Le Havre player failed to make Mohamed Ouahbi’s final list, a decision that surprised many Moroccan fans considering the important role the winger played during the unforgettable campaign in Qatar.

Major Players Who Missed Out

New Faces And Surprise Inclusions

The squad includes notable new additions, particularly Ayyoub Bouaddi and Issa Diop, with a few surprises as well in the call-ups of Zakaria El Ouahdi and Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab. Some of the old guard remain, such as Aguerd, captain Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, but there are also new faces, not least former France junior international midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who has switched allegiances. 

Bouaddi said on X: “A dream come true, but above all, the start of a new chapter, with even more work, rigor and responsibilities. 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.” Teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille has been included and could be a surprise, while winger Abde Ezzalzouli is another to keep an eye on.

The AFCON Controversy: Reigning Champions In Unusual Circumstances

The Atlas Lions enter the tournament as reigning CAF champions, although the continental title was ultimately awarded through a bureaucratic decision following the major controversy surrounding the final against Senegal. Despite losing the Africa Cup of Nations on penalties in the final, Morocco were later awarded the win in controversial circumstances due to Senegal’s on-field protests.

Morocco’s Perfect Qualification Campaign

Morocco had to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in a group with Niger, Tanzania, Zambia, the Republic of the Congo, and Eritrea. Morocco was the clear favorite to win the group and lived up to those expectations. The Atlas Lions were indomitable, sweeping the group stage by winning every single match. Morocco qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on September 5, 2025, at home in Rabat, where they beat Niger 5-0. Morocco also won their remaining two matches, finishing the group with a perfect 24 points and a 22-2 goal difference. Striker Ayoub El Kaabi was the top scorer for the Atlas Lions during the qualifiers with four goals.

Morocco’s Qualification Record

Club Distribution: A Diaspora-Heavy Squad

The majority of players for the 2026 World Cup squad from Morocco were born in Europe.

The squad features players across 12 different leagues, reflecting the strength of Morocco’s extensive European diaspora.

Squad By League

Key Player Profiles

Star Players And Their Roles

Group C: Morocco’s Path To The Knockouts

Morocco is one of the four countries in Group C. The Atlas Lions open their World Cup on June 13 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where they will take on record champion Brazil. Six days later, they take on Scotland in Foxborough, Massachusetts. For their final group stage match, they have to travel to Atlanta, Georgia, to take on Haiti on June 24.

Group C Fixtures

Pre-Tournament Schedule

As part of its preparatory campaign ahead of the World Cup, Morocco is scheduled to play two friendly matches against Madagascar on June 2 and Norway on June 7.

Preparation Matches

Morocco’s World Cup History: Can They Go Further In 2026?

Morocco finished bottom of their group at their debut in 1970, failing to win a game. The Atlas Lions fared much better in 1986, making it to the last 16, before losing 1-0 to eventual finalists West Germany. Group stage exits in 1994, 1998, and 2018 were poor, but in 2022, everything changed. Morocco finished top of their group to set up a last 16 clash with Spain. A stunning penalty shootout victory moved the Africans into the quarter-finals, where Portugal were dispatched 1-0. History was made, but the dream ended there. France won 2-0 in the semi-finals. Morocco also lost the third-place playoff to Croatia.

Morocco’s World Cup Record

Can Morocco Replicate Or Better 2022?

The Atlas Lions are currently ranked 8th in the FIFA rankings, making them the highest-ranked African national team. 1 The Atlas Lions will have one of the most talented squads at the tournament and, although they won’t be favourites to win the whole thing, their showing at the Africa Cup of Nations is sure to boost their odds. This time, they will be determined to go one step further in the competition.

The key question surrounding Morocco is whether the transition from Regragui to Ouahbi will prove seamless. With largely the same talented squad but a first-time senior manager at the helm, the Atlas Lions carry both enormous expectation and a degree of uncertainty into North America.

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