On Friday, March 27, the national teams of Morocco and Ecuador are set to face each other in a friendly match at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, as they finalize their preparations for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. The tournament will kick off in less than 80 days across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This match represents a unique opportunity for both teams, as they have never previously met on the pitch.
Morocco, known as the Atlas Lions, made headlines during the Qatar 2022 World Cup by reaching the semifinals, a feat that surprised many. They now arrive at the next edition as the reigning champions of the Africa Cup, a title won under somewhat controversial circumstances. Senegal was declared to have lost the final by default after issues arose, transforming their overtime victory into a 3-0 win for the host nation. The aftermath of this contentious final saw coach Walid Regragui step down just three months before the World Cup, with Mohamed Ouahbi taking over after a successful stint with the U-20 team.
The Moroccan squad boasts a roster filled with stars such as Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid), Achraf Hakimi (PSG), Abde (Betis), and Bono (Al-Hilal Saudi). They will also feature Yassir Zabiri, who scored both goals in the U-20 final against Argentina. Morocco's World Cup journey will begin against Brazil on June 14 in Group C, which also includes Haiti and Scotland.
Meanwhile, Ecuador arrives at the Metropolitano boasting an impressive record of 15 matches without a loss, the last defeat dating back to September 6, 2024, against Brazil. This match marked the debut of Sebastián Beccacece as head coach of La Tricolor. Since then, the South American side has achieved six victories and nine draws, although some fans remain concerned about their goal-scoring opportunities and certain tactical decisions made by the Argentine coach. Nevertheless, the excitement surrounding the World Cup remains high, as Ecuador aims to advance past the round of 16 for the first time.
Ecuador's squad features talented players such as Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea), Piero Hincapié (Arsenal), and Willian Pacho (PSG). However, one of their key players, Patrik Mercado, the best player in the Ecuadorian league and recently signed by Sevilla, is unlikely to participate in the World Cup due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The Ecuadorian team will kick off their World Cup campaign on June 15 against Ivory Coast in Group E, which also includes Curaçao and Germany. In the 2022 edition, Ecuador was eliminated in the group stage.
The friendly match between Morocco and Ecuador will take place on Friday, March 27, starting at 21:15 local time, and can be watched live on DAZN.
As reported by elmundo.es.
