Morocco World Cup 2022 squad, predicted line-up versus France and star players

Yassine Bounou is the undisputed number one for Morocco. He missed the clash against Belgium but was fit again to play in other matches.

The 33-year-old Munir Mohamedi is another experienced candidate and slotted in against the Red Devils as Bounou had fitness issues.

Ahmed Rega Tagnaouti serves as the second backup in Qatar.

Regragui has stuck to a traditional back-four while setting up his backline.

With Achraf Hakimi and Yahia Attiyat Allah in the ranks, there is little to worry about the full-back positions. Meanwhile, Romain Saiss and Jawad El Yamiq are the two most used centre-backs.

Achraf Dari and Valladolid's Jawad El Yamiq are the other options at the heart of defence.

Regragui has chosen to field a three-man midfield so far in this World Cup.

There's one player whose role remains constant and that is Sofyan Amrabat. The Fiorentina player is known to be a solid defensive midfielder and enjoys the coach's unabated trust.

Azzedine Ounahi, Selim Amallah, Abdelhamid Sabiri and QPR's Ilias Chair are the other trusted lieutenants.

Hakim Ziyech, Sofiane Boufal, and Youssef En-Nesyri are the main men in a front three.

Chelsea star Ziyech, who reversed his international retirement to return under new boss Regragui, operates mainly on the right flank whereas Boufal takes his position on the left, with En-Nesyri as the target man.

The trio has been brilliant for Morocco in Qatar and should trouble France's defence as well.

Zakaria Aboukhlal can also provide a threat, but there was no place for former Premier League star Adel Taraabt, who moved to Al-Nasr in the summer. Ex-Barcelona starlet Munir El Haddadi has also been omitted, despite the 27-year-old's status as a regular for Getafe in La Liga.

Amine Harit's injury suffered ahead of the tournament has unfortunately ruled the exciting attacker out of the squad. He has been replaced by Anass Zaroury, who continues to impress at Burnley. The 22-year-old represented Belgium at youth level, but has now pledged his allegiance to Morocco.

Perhaps the most surprise inclusion in the squad is Ittihad forward Abderrazak Hamdallah, nicknamed 'The Executioner' by Morocco fans, who is back with the national team after a lengthy absence.

Hakim Ziyech is turning out to be the MVP in this Morocco squad. A few months ago, Ziyech wasn't even part of this Morocco team, having controversially retired from the international game amid a feud with former coach Vahid Halilhodzic. He has scored one goal in the World Cup so far against Canada in the group stage and has been very influential for his team upfront.

Sofyan Amrabat is the unsung hero of this Moroccan unit. He sits in front of his backline and absorbs the initial pressure. He is adept at breaking down attacks and winning possession. He has an incredible work rate as well which makes him an indispensable member of Regrarui's plans. The Fiorentina midfielder is already being monitored by Premier League giants Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur after his impressive displays in the group stage.

Yassine Bounou along with his entire defensive unit has been phenomenal as well. They shut out Belgium and Croatia, while Aguerd's own goal can be considered a blip in the matrix. However, the going gets tougher from here on and they can ill-afford to put a step wrong in the semifinal.

Morocco will most likely set themselves up in a 4-3-3 formation.

Bounou should start between the sticks. He will be shielded by a back four which is most likely to be comprised of Hakimi at right-back, skipper Saiss and Yamiq at the heart of defence and Attiyat Allah on the left.

Amrabat, Amallah and Ounahi are likely to form the three-man midfield, with En-Nesyri expected to lead the line with Ziyech and Boufal on the right and left flanks respectively.

Morocco XI (4-3-3): Bounou; Hakimi, Saiss, Yamiq, Attiyat Allah; Amrabat, Amallah, Ounahi; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal.