Morocco's World Cup Journey and Squad Overview
Scotland is set to clash with Morocco in their second Group C match of the World Cup, taking place in Foxborough this Friday. This encounter marks Morocco's seventh appearance at the World Cup, a journey that began in 1970 during the tournament held in Mexico. Historically, the Moroccan national team has struggled, with four group-stage exits in their first five World Cup appearances, including a notable defeat against Scotland in 1998 where they lost 3-0, sealing their exit from the competition. However, the Moroccan team has recently seen a resurgence, achieving their best-ever performance in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they reached the semi-finals before succumbing to France with a score of 2-0.
The current Moroccan squad boasts a wealth of talent, primarily sourced from esteemed European clubs. The team's captain and right-back, Achraf Hakimi, is a standout player, showcasing his skills as a regular starter for Paris Saint-Germain. Accompanying him in the forward line is Brahim Diaz, who plays for Real Madrid. Other notable threats include Ismael Salibari from PSV Eindhoven, Bilal El Khannouss from Stuttgart, and Neil El Aynaoui representing Roma, all of whom are capable of making significant impacts in matches.
Coaching Changes and Recent Performance
Mohamed Ouahbi, who took over as head coach from Walid Regragui in March, has had limited preparation time for the tournament. The 49-year-old, born in Belgium, began his coaching career in his early twenties, initially working as a youth coach at Maccabi Brussels before moving to Anderlecht, where he spent several years developing talent in their academy. His previous success with Morocco's under-20 and under-23 teams, including a victory in the Under-20 World Cup last year, earned him the opportunity to guide the national team in this prestigious tournament.
Morocco stands as a formidable opponent for Scotland's Steve Clarke, with the African nation currently ranked seventh in the world. Their recent triumph in the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, although marked by some controversy, has further bolstered their confidence. A 1-1 draw against Brazil in their opening match of the tournament last Saturday has extended their impressive unbeaten streak, which has persisted for nearly two and a half years since their last loss to South Africa in the AFCON held in January 2024.
As reported by heraldscotland.com.
