Morocco World Cup squad: Introducing the Atlas Lions

Belongs alongside Edouard Mendy and Andre Onana as Africa’s finest goalkeeper, Bono has impressed in both La Liga and continental competition with Sevilla.

He won the Europa League in 2020—a decade after winning the Moroccan title with Wydad Casablanca—and represents a major asset for the Atlas Lions.

Star centre-back who is a well-rounded defensive talent, assertive, intelligent, and comfortable in possession.

Tasted life in the Champions League with Stade Rennais, but his start to life at West Ham United following a £30 million summer transfer has been hampered by injury.

Perhaps not the player he was a year or two ago while on the books of Wolverhampton Wanderers, but Saiss still has a key role as an aggressive and imposing defensive leader.

The captain often looks more comfortable in a back three than a back four.

The team’s outstanding individual, and a potential to be one of the breakout stars of the tournament, Hakimi ought to be considered among the world’s finest in his position.

He’s already achieved success in Spain, Germany and Italy, and was a French champion with Paris Saint-Germain last term.

Full-back who has returned to the squad under Walid Regragui after being axed from the side for disciplinary reasons under Vahid Halilhodzic.

Mazraoui recently made the move from Ajax to Bayern Munich, and while versatile, will likely start for Morocco at left-back with Hakimi operating on the right.

Dutch-born midfielder whose elder brother—Nordin—represented Morocco and Watford.

Sofyan has been tipped for a move to England as well, but currently remains at Fiorentina, where he’s honed his craft to become one of Africa’s finest central midfielders.

Stepped into the team under Halilhodzic during the Nations Cup and immediately looked the part in midfield.

Ounahi was particularly impressive in the playoff against the Democratic Republic of Congo, netting twice to secure the Atlas Lions’ progression to Qatar.

Potential star player who has returned to the squad under Regragui after being ostracised under Halilhodzic. Ziyech only announced his international retirement earlier this year, but is now a key man in the starting XI again.

He’s been out of form—and favour—with Chelsea.

Fantasy playmaker who is a master with the ball at his feet but struggled to impose himself in English football with Southampton.

Flashes of brilliance were more common in France with Angers and LOSC Lille, while Boufal—in Ziyech’s absence—stepped up to the plate with some star turns during the Nations Cup.

Striker once linked with a move to Arsenal, who has gone completely off the boil this year after devastating injury problems in 2021.

The Sevilla man appears to have retained the trust of Regragui, but will he rediscover his scoring touch in Qatar?

Former No. 1, with over 40 caps, but has been surpassed by Bono in the pecking order since the last World Cup.

Former third choice who had been usurped by Anas Zniti in recent years. However, the Raja Casablanca keeper’s misfortune with appendicitis has opened the door for Wydad’s Tagnaouti to return to the fold.

Secured a move to European football midway through Morocco’s African Nations Championship campaign on home soil in 2018.

He’s currently in Spain with Real Valladolid, and represents a versatile backup option across the defence.

Talented young defender who conquered Africa with Wydad Casablanca, working with Regragui, before moving to France with Brest.

He deputised for Aguerd during recent friendlies, but is more likely to be the long-term successor to Saiss.

Characterful centre-back who was a darling at Raja Casablanca before moving to Egyptian giants Al-Ahly.

He’s battled back to full fitness—and to contention—after taking a long time to recover from a coronavirus infection that overshadowed his Nations Cup.

Another Wydad star, Attiat-Allah will provide cover at full-back, although he’ll likely find himself behind Mazraoui in the pecking order in his natural position of left-back.

The defender was an African champion with Wydad Casablanca earlier this year.

Technical wizard who holds his own in the Championship with Queens Park Rangers despite his slight stature.

Chair learned his trade on the streets, and was eligible to represent both Belgium and Poland.

Promising, versatile wideman who was raised in the Netherlands but is currently playing in France with Toulouse.

Sustained an injury in the weeks before the World Cup—threatening his participation—but was called up nonetheless.

Belgium-born midfielder who’s spent his entire career to date in the Pro League.

He’s currently with domestic heavyweights Standard Liege, and chose to represent Morocco despite reported interest from the Red Devils.

A surprise inclusion in the squad ahead of other potential midfield options such as Aymen Barkok or Adel Taarabt, El Khannouss is yet to have been capped by the Atlas Lions, but has clearly won over Regragui.

Just 18, he plays for Belgian heavyweights Genk.

Ex-Futsal World Cup midfielder, who was also a member of the CHAN 2018-winning side under Jamal Sellami.

Jabrane has enjoyed great success under Wydad, establishing himself as one of the most consistent players based in Africa, but will be a backup option in Qatar.

Nicknamed ‘The Executioner’ following his goalscoring exploits in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Hamdallah has been handed a late, late recall to the squad by Regragui, having not featured since 2019.

He’s broking goalscoring records aplenty in the Gulf, and should feel right at home back in Qatar.

Ex-Belgium youth international who arrived late in the camp after Amine Harit had been injured and ruled out in Olympique de Marseille’s last match before the tournament.

Zaroury has impressed at Vincent Kompany’s Burnley in the Championship so far this term, having had a hand in eight goals so far, and made his Morocco debut in the pre-tournament friendly against Georgia.

The 25-year-old forward has had a nomadic career so far, spending time in Germany, England and Italy, but now appears to be finding his feet at Sampdoria.

Sabri finally appears free of the injury problems that affected his time at Huddersfield Town.

Wasn’t universally popular among Morocco fans after snubbing a call-up for the Nations Cup earlier this year to focus on his Barcelona career.

Since them, however, Ezzalzouli has won supporters over, and makes the cut for the World Cup despite injury concerns ahead of the tournament.

The Italy-born striker has made a late run into the squad following his goalscoring form in Serie B, having only made his debut in September.