Published on May 26, 2026 - In a significant announcement, Moroccan national team coach Mohamed Wahbi has officially unveiled the final roster of the "Atlas Lions" who will compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The 26-player squad features some surprising exclusions, showcasing the coaching staff's intention to instigate a comprehensive renewal and infuse youthful talent into the team, as several prominent players have been left out due to their misalignment with the new tactical philosophy.
Despite the departure of some of the veteran players, Wahbi has preserved the core structure and essential elements of the team, particularly in the goalkeeper, defense, and midfield positions, while introducing three rising offensive talents expected to make a significant impact and expand tactical options during the World Cup.
Wahbi Announces Morocco's Official World Cup Roster
The squad announced by Wahbi strikes a notable balance between the wealth of experience gained from the Qatar 2022 saga and the fervent ambition of the new faces joining the team. The official lineup is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal), Munir Mohamedi (Renaissance Berkane), Reda Tagnaouti (Raja Casablanca).
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United), Nayef Aguerd (Marseille), Shadi Riyad (Crystal Palace), Zakaria Al Wahdi (Genk), Anas Salah Eddine (PSV Eindhoven), Ridouane Halhal (Mechelen), Youssef Belaili (Al Ahly), Issa Diop (Fulham).
Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat (Real Betis), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona), Nail Al Aini (Roma), Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart), Ismail Sabiri (PSV Eindhoven), Samir Merabet (Strasbourg).
Forwards: Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid), Sofyan Rahimi (Al Ain), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos), Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis), Ayoub Bouaddi (Lille), Shams Eddin Talabi (Sunderland), Yassine Jassim (Strasbourg), Ayoub Amimouni (Frankfurt).
Morocco's Preparatory Camp Ahead of the World Cup
Wahbi explained that the limited time since taking over the team has compelled him to focus on fundamental principles rather than overloading players with intricate tactical details before the tournament kicks off on June 11. He took the reins of the Moroccan national team on March 5, succeeding Walid Regragui.
He stated, "We did not have enough time to build everything we wanted, so we will concentrate on the essentials that will make the team more effective. I don't want to burden the players with excessive instructions that might hinder their freedom to play and showcase their talents."
The Moroccan coach also noted that the technical staff had closely monitored a large number of players before finalizing the squad, emphasizing that the recent training camp allowed him to evaluate the potential candidates within the playing system he aims to implement.
Morocco will commence its journey in Group C with a match against Brazil, followed by encounters against Scotland and Haiti.
In the coming days, the Moroccan team is set to enter an intensive preparatory camp aimed at accelerating the integration of the veteran players with the emerging talents before departing for the United States to officially embark on their World Cup campaign.
As reported by aljazeera.net.
