Mohamed Ouahbi has named Nayef Aguerd in Morocco’s 26-man World Cup squad despite the defender not having played since early March, while Youssef En-Nesyri has been left out of the tournament team ahead of the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Key takeaways
- Nayef Aguerd is included in Morocco’s World Cup squad even though he has been sidelined since early March.
- Youssef En-Nesyri misses out on the final selection for the finals in the US, Mexico and Canada.
- Mohamed Ouahbi took charge in March, taking over from Walid Regragui after Morocco’s 2022 World Cup run.
- Captain Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and Sofyan Amrabat are among the established names retained.
- Ayyoub Bouaddi earns a Morocco call-up after previously representing France at youth level.
Ouahbi’s squad reshuffle and Bouaddi’s switch
Former Morocco Under-20 coach Mohamed Ouahbi took over the national team in March from Walid Regragui, who guided the Atlas Lions to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Since then, Ouahbi has introduced multiple changes to the lineup that will travel to the tournament.
Several familiar figures remain central to the group, including Aguerd, captain Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and midfielder Sofyan Amrabat. However, there are also new additions, highlighted by Ayyoub Bouaddi, a former France youth international who has now switched allegiance to Morocco.
Bouaddi described the call as “a dream come true” and framed it as the opening of “a new chapter,” adding that he is prepared for increased work, discipline and responsibility. He also said he is aware of the honour of wearing Morocco’s colours and intends to give his best to represent the country. Bouaddi added that he is thinking of France as well, explaining that his decision does not reduce the pride and gratitude he feels for having worn that shirt during his youth.
Injury status, key omissions and the World Cup schedule
Aguerd, who plays for Marseille, has been absent for nearly three months due to injury and is still not fully match-ready. Even so, he has been selected and will be given the opportunity to prove his fitness ahead of Morocco’s opening matches.
En-Nesyri, a key figure in Morocco’s 2022 campaign when they reached the last four, is also coming off a spell in the squad after featuring at the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil earlier this year, where Morocco finished the competition in January.
Goalkeeper Ahmed Tagnaouti, meanwhile, has been rewarded for his form after helping Royal Armed Forces reach the final of the African Champions League. They were beaten by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in the final on Sunday, but Tagnaouti’s performances have earned him his first Morocco call-up since the 2022 World Cup.
Tagnaouti has not been capped since 2019 and will be competing behind first-choice goalkeeper Yassine Bounou for a spot in the starting lineup.
Morocco begin their World Cup Group C campaign against Brazil in New Jersey on June 13. They then face Scotland in Boston six days later before closing their pool schedule against Haiti in Miami on June 24.
Morocco squad list
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal), Munir Mohamedi (RS Berkane), Ahmed Tagnaouti (Royal Armed Forces)
Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United), Anass Salah-Eddine (PSV Eindhoven), Youssef Belammari (Al Ahly), Nayef Aguerd (Marseille), Chadi Riad (Crystal Palace), Issa Diop (West Ham United), Redouane Halhal (KV Mechelen), Achraf Hakimi (Paris St-Germain), Zakaria El Ouahdi (Genk)
Midfielders: Samir El Mourabet (Strasbourg), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille), Neil El Aynaoui (Roma), Sofyan Amrabat (Real Betis), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona), Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven)
Forwards: Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis), Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos), Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid), Yassine Gessime (Strasbourg), Ayoub Amaimouni-Echghouyabe (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Reserves: El Mehdi Al Harrar (Raja Casablanca), Marwane Saâdane (Al-Fateh), Amine Sbaï (Angers)
