Coach Mohamed Wahbi Reveals Morocco's Squad for the World Cup
Mohamed Wahbi, the head coach of the Moroccan national team, has officially announced the list of players who will represent Morocco in the upcoming World Cup, set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Moroccan team, known as the Atlas Lions, will kick off their World Cup journey with a challenging match against Brazil on June 13, as part of Group C, which also includes Scotland and Haiti.
Notable Exclusions and Surprising Call-Ups
The announcement of the squad brought several surprises, notably the absence of Youssef En-Nesyri. The exclusion of the star forward from Al-Ittihad, who had previously participated in the last two World Cups in 2018 and 2022, was particularly striking. En-Nesyri's decline in form has cost him his place in the national team. At 28 years old, he joined Al-Ittihad during the last winter transfer window from the Turkish giant Fenerbahçe, where he had been a vital player for the Moroccan squad. However, his recent performance has been disappointing, having played 18 matches, scoring 8 goals, and providing just one assist. His team finished fifth in the Roshan League and was eliminated from the King’s Cup and the AFC Champions League.
Another surprise was the inclusion of Ayoub Maimouni, a winger from Eintracht Frankfurt, who has not previously represented the Moroccan national team. At just 21 years old, Maimouni was playing in the German third division at the start of last season before making a winter transfer to Frankfurt, marking a significant step in his career.
Additionally, the absence of Mohamed Amin Hrimat, a star player from the Royal Army, was notable, especially given his impressive performances in the African Nations Championship and the Arab Cup. His exclusion was a direct consequence of Ayoub Bouaddi's decision to represent Morocco, leading Wahbi to omit one of the tournament's standout players.
On a positive note, Wahbi has included Yassine Jassim, a young star from Strasbourg, in the squad. Jassim was one of the key players in Morocco's youth team, which won the FIFA U-20 World Cup last year, showcasing his potential on the international stage.
Finally, goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti has earned his spot as the third keeper on the squad, following an impressive season with the Royal Army, which saw him lead his team to the Champions League final. His selection comes at the expense of Mehdi Aherar from Raja Casablanca, who has now been placed on the reserve list.
As reported by eremnews.com.
