Why not go one step further? Morocco WC squad is ready

They thrilled the world in Qatar, knocking Belgium out in the group stage before eliminating Spain and then Portugal, becoming the first African team ever to reach the semifinals of a World Cup. Then they entered the Africa Cup of Nations as overwhelming favorites, only to collapse under the pressure of hosting in that final against Senegal, even attempting — and briefly succeeding — to win the trophy at the green table.

When one penalty kick changes everything: Regragui is no longer Morocco boss

When that disgraceful move failed, they dismissed Walid Regragui and appointed Mohamed Ouahbi as head coach. Ever since taking over, Ouahbi had been saying that Morocco needed a reset. Now he has delivered it, as only eight players from the squad that finished fourth in Qatar made the roster for this year’s World Cup.

Some changes were expected — Hakim Ziyech, for example, is no longer the same player. Neither are Sofiane Boufal, Abderrazak Hamdallah, or Romain Saiss. Still, there were a few surprises, or perhaps better said, clear signs that Ouahbi was serious when he declared:

“We cannot play only thinking about how to defend well. Wearing the Morocco shirt now requires us to compete in a different way… This is not just about running or fighting. We need players who can read the game better… We have a generation with enormous technical potential and we must use it. We must not ask them to give up their qualities.”

So who paid the price? The biggest name is certainly Youssef En-Nesyri, the 28-year-old striker whose goal eliminated Portugal in Qatar and who moved from Fenerbahçe to Al Ittihad in February for €15 million. He scored 16 goals this season — it still was not enough.

The squad remains so strong that many European national teams would envy it. Achraf Hakimi is naturally the biggest star, while Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz will be eager to redeem himself after missing a penalty in January’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal.

In goal there is, of course, Yassine Bounou, better known as Bono, with Noussair Mazraoui at full-back and Sofyan Amrabat providing security in midfield. But now there is also a wave of younger players, and it should be remembered that Morocco are still waiting for the generation that won the U20 World Cup title to fully break into the senior team. Their time will come, but some of the slightly older talents have already arrived.

Stuttgart’s Bilal El Khannouss, for example, is coming off an excellent season and already has 22 caps for the national team. A technically gifted footballer. Ismael Saibari, at 25 years old with 19 goals and nine assists for PSV, will no longer play a supporting role but instead become one of the team’s leaders.

There is also 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille. Zakaria El Ouahdi scored 12 goals and added six assists from right-back for Genk. Ayoub Amraoui (21) exploded onto the scene at Eintracht Frankfurt with 11 goals and nine assists.

The bright future of this team is also reflected in the names left out. A good example is 21-year-old Eliesse Ben Seghir, for whom Bayer Leverkusen paid €32 million, but who missed out because of a lack of playing time. Utrecht’s Souffian El Karouani is also absent — despite recording 11 assists from left-back — as is Feyenoord regular Oussama Targhalline.

As a reminder, Morocco will play in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti. Failing to reach the Round of 32 would be a major disappointment, but just how good they really are will become clearer on June 14, when they face Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil.

MOROCCO SQUAD FOR THE WORLD CUP

Goalkeepers

Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal), Munir El Kajoui (Berkane), Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (AS FAR)

Defenders

Nayef Aguerd (Olympique Marseille), Youssef Belammari (Al Ahli), Issa Diop (Fulham), Zakaria El Ouahdi (Genk), Achraf Hakimi (PSG), Redouane Halhal (Mechelen), Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United), Chadi Riad (Crystal Palace), Anass Salah-Eddine (PSV)

Midfielders

Sofyan Amrabat (Betis), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille), Neil El Aynaoui (Roma), Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart), Samir El Mourabet (Strasbourg), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona), Ismael Saibari (PSV)

Forwards

Ayoub Amraoui (Eintracht Frankfurt), Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos), Abde Ezzalzouli (Betis), Yassine Jebli (Strasbourg), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain), Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland)