Morocco's Squad Announcement for Upcoming CAN 2027 Qualifiers

On September 17, 2026, Moroccan national football team coach Mohamed Ouahbi announced the roster for the upcoming matches against Gabon and Lesotho, as part of the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN). The squad has generated significant anticipation among fans, as it includes notable players who were instrumental in the team's recent successes.

The announcement took place in a press conference held at the Mohammed VI complex, where Ouahbi revealed the names of 29 players selected for the fixtures, including a friendly match against Ghana on October 4 and two critical qualifiers. The Moroccan team, the defending champions, aims to kick off their qualifying campaign with a match against Gabon on September 25 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, followed by an away game against Lesotho in Bloemfontein, South Africa, on September 29.

This expanded roster features many key players who participated in last summer's World Cup, including star defender Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain and Brahim Diaz, who previously made headlines for a controversial missed penalty in the CAN final. Additionally, Ayyoub Bouaddi, a promising talent transferred from Lille to Manchester City for €100 million this summer, is also part of the squad.

Despite some injuries sidelining players like Chadi Riad, Youssef Belammari, and Ayoub El Kaabi, the coach has included several new names: Alaa Bellaarouch, Soufiane El Faouzi, Ali Maamar, Yassir Zabiri, Tawfik Bentayeb, and Abdellah Ouazane. Among them, 17-year-old Abdellah Ouazane, an attacking midfielder from Ajax Amsterdam, is particularly noteworthy. He had an impressive performance in the 2025 U-17 CAN, where he was named best player and helped Morocco clinch the championship.

Another player making headlines is Abde Ezzalzouli, who recently stirred controversy in Morocco by wearing a T-shirt in support of residents in Ceuta, Spain, during a migration crisis. Coach Ouahbi has publicly supported Ezzalzouli, affirming his commitment to the national team.

Ouahbi, who took over the national team earlier this year, made a promising debut at the World Cup, leading Morocco to the quarter-finals before a defeat against France. The upcoming matches are crucial for the team as they seek to defend their title and secure a spot in the prestigious tournament.

As reported by leparisien.fr.