Morocco's Exciting Match Against Ecuador
This Friday evening, Morocco is set to take on Ecuador in a friendly match held in Madrid, a crucial preparation step for the upcoming World Cup. This encounter comes just ten days after Morocco was crowned the African champions by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), marking a significant moment for the team and its supporters.
As of March 2026, Ecuador holds the 24th position in the FIFA rankings, with its highest-ever ranking being 13th in June 2013. At that time, the Ecuadorian team, bolstered by players like Antonio Valencia, had an impressive qualification campaign for the 2014 World Cup, achieving that historic rank. In contrast, Morocco currently ranks 8th in the world, showcasing its strength in international football.
One of the major surprises in the Moroccan lineup is the inclusion of Mohamed Rabie Hrimat, a 31-year-old player from FAR Rabat who has never previously worn the national team jersey. Having won the Arab Cup with the A' team, Hrimat is expected to play in an attacking midfield role, adding to the intrigue of the match.
The Moroccan diaspora in Madrid is expected to show strong support for their team tonight. The last friendly match Morocco played in Spain was on March 23, 2018, against Serbia, which ended in a 2-1 victory for the Lions of the Atlas, thanks to goals from Benatia and Boussoufa.
This preparatory match for the 2026 World Cup will be broadcast live on the local Moroccan channel Arriyadiya. Just shortly after being named African champions by the CAF, the Moroccan team will take the field for their first match as continental champions. The players and coaching staff had the honor of receiving their medals at the royal palace in Rabat before departing for Madrid.
On the Ecuadorian side, known for having one of the strongest defenses in South America, the starting eleven will feature: Galindez - Hincapie, Ordonez, Pacho, Yeboah - Minda, Vite, Plata, Franco, Caicedo - Valencia.
In the Moroccan squad, new head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has notably included Issa Diop in central defense for his debut, along with Brahim Diaz, who will be supported in attack by Ezzalzouli and Saibari. The Moroccan starting lineup is as follows: Bounou - Mazraoui, Diop, Hrimat, Hakimi - Ouani, Riad, El Aynaoyui - Brahim Diaz, Saibari, Ezzalzouli.
This match marks the first-ever meeting between Morocco and Ecuador. The last time the Lions of the Atlas faced a South American team was in a friendly against Brazil on March 25, 2023, where they secured a 2-1 victory.
As the excitement builds for this match at the Metropolitano Stadium, fans are eagerly anticipating a thrilling showdown between Morocco, the newly crowned African champions, and Ecuador. Kickoff is scheduled for 21:15.
As reported by linternaute.com.
