Rabat, Morocco – With just 84 days until the opening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico (June 11 – July 19), new Morocco national team manager Mohamed Ouahbi unveiled his first squad on Thursday. The announcement comes after a period of transition for the Atlas Lions, following their narrow defeat to Senegal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final and the subsequent departure of Walid Regragui.
The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) officially confirmed Regragui’s resignation earlier this month, a surprising move given his success in leading the team to a historic semi-final appearance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Ouahbi, who recently guided Morocco’s Under-20 team to victory at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile this past autumn, has been tasked with continuing the nation’s footballing progress. The team is drawn into Group C for the upcoming World Cup, alongside Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland.
The road to this point has been turbulent. While the Lions of Atlas initially qualified for the 2026 World Cup with a perfect record, their recent loss in the Africa Cup of Nations final was marred by controversy. Senegal was initially declared champions, but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) later overturned the result, awarding a 3-0 victory to Morocco due to Senegalese players’ conduct following a disputed penalty call. Senegal has appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Issa Diop Chooses Morocco, Ayyoub Bouaddi Misses Out
Ouahbi’s first squad, announced at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, features 28 players for upcoming friendly matches against Ecuador (March 27 in Madrid) and Paraguay (March 31 in Lens). These fixtures will provide a crucial opportunity for the new manager to assess his options ahead of the final World Cup roster selection. Captain Achraf Hakimi is included, as is Brahim Diaz, who faced some criticism from teammates after the CAN 2025 final. Seven players have received their first senior call-ups, including Gessime Yassine, Yassir Zabiri, and Samir El Mourabet.
A significant addition to the squad is Issa Diop, who has officially chosen to represent Morocco internationally. The defender’s inclusion marks a boost for Ouahbi’s defensive options. However, Lille forward Ayyoub Bouaddi was surprisingly left out of the squad despite being considered a potential inclusion.
Several players are unavailable for this month’s camp. Veteran defender Romain Saïss has already announced his international retirement, and Nayef Aguerd is sidelined due to a recent hernia operation.
Ouahbi will be looking to build on the foundation laid by Regragui, who guided Morocco to unprecedented success on the world stage. The 2022 World Cup run, where Morocco became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals, defeating Portugal along the way, raised expectations for the national team. FIFA has acknowledged Regragui’s contribution, stating the manager was key to Morocco’s continued success.
This period represents a new chapter for Moroccan football. Ouahbi faces the challenge of integrating new talent, maintaining team morale, and preparing the squad for the demanding competition that awaits them at the World Cup. The friendly matches against Ecuador and Paraguay will be vital in assessing the team’s readiness and refining tactical approaches.
The appointment of Ouahbi signals a commitment to nurturing young talent within the Moroccan system, as evidenced by his recent success with the Under-20 team. His familiarity with many of the emerging players could prove beneficial as he seeks to build a cohesive and competitive squad for the World Cup.
For Moroccan fans, the focus now shifts to the upcoming friendlies and the anticipation of seeing how Ouahbi shapes the team in preparation for the tournament. The pressure will be on to replicate, and perhaps even surpass, the achievements of the past, as the Lions of Atlas aim to make their mark on the global stage once again.
The team will convene in Madrid later this week to begin preparations for the match against Ecuador. Fans will be eager to see how Ouahbi utilizes the squad and what tactical formations he employs. The matches will provide a valuable opportunity to gauge the team’s form and identify areas for improvement before the World Cup kicks off in June.
Next up for Morocco are the friendly matches against Ecuador on March 27th and Paraguay on March 31st. Following these matches, Ouahbi will begin the process of finalizing his squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of Morocco’s World Cup preparations.
