Key Points
Bullet point summary by AI
- Morocco's World Cup roster features players from elite European clubs ahead of their 2026 co-hosting role with Portugal and Spain.
- The Atlas Lions achieved a historic run despite injuries to key figures and a starting XI born outside Morocco.
- One teenager's soaring $80 million valuation has European giants scrambling, highlighting the squad's global talent pool.
For so long, it felt impossible for an African nation to reach a World Cup semifinal. Now, having shattered that glass celling in Qatar, Morocco are one victory away from achieving this back-to-back. In four summers time, Morocco will co-host the World Cup alongside their neighbors from across the Mediterranean, Portugal and Spain. In preparation, six new stadiums are either being renovated or built from scratch, a couple of which were on show at the Cup of Nations earlier this year.
On the pitch too, the Atlas Lions are aiming to become Africa's leading force, the only side from their continent still standing in North America. It is now disingenuous to label Mohamed Ouahbi's side dark horses or outsiders; Morocco are a serious force to be reckoned with. Well, when you look through their roster, this should be no surprise, because they've got many players plying their trade at the highest level.
Club teams for every player on the Morocco World Cup roster
Players | Position | Club & league |
|---|---|---|
Yassine Bounou | GK | Al-Hilai (Saudi Pro League) |
Munir Mohamedi | GK | RS Berkane (Botola Pro) |
Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti | GK | AS FAR (Botola Pro) |
Achraf Hakimi | RB | Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1) |
Noussair Mazraoui | RB | Manchester United (Premier League) |
Zakaria El Ouahdi | RB | Genk (Belgian Pro League) |
Chadi Riad | CB | Crystal Palace (Premier League) |
Issa Diop | CB | Fulham (Premier League) |
Marwane Saâdane | CB | Al-Fateh (Saudi Pro League) |
Redouane Halhal | CB | Mechelen (Belgian Pro League) |
Youssef Belammari | LB | Al Ahly (Egyptian Premier League) |
Anass Salah-Eddine | LB | PSV Eindhoven (Eredivisie) |
Sofyan Amrabat | DM | Real Betis (La Liga) |
Ayyoub Bouaddi | DM | LOSC Lille (Ligue 1) |
Azzedine Ounahi | DM | Girona (La Liga) |
Samir El Mourabet | CM | Strasbourg (Ligue 1) |
Neil El Aynaoui | CM | Roma (Serie A) |
Bilal El Khannouss | CAM | Stuttgart (Bundesliga) |
Brahim Díaz | CAM | Real Madrid (La Liga) |
Chemsdine Talbi | LW | Sunderland (Premier League) |
Ayoube Amaimouni | RW | Eintracht Frankfurt (Bundesliga) |
Amine Sbaï | LW | Angers (Ligue 1) |
Gessime Yassine | RW | Strasbourg (Ligue 1) |
Ayoub El Kaabi | ST | Olympiacos (Greek Super League) |
Soufiāne Raḥimi | ST | Al Ain (UAE Pro League) |
Ismael Saibari | CF | Bayern Munich (Bundesliga)* |
Note: *Saibari joined Bayern Munich from PSV Eindhoven for $57m on July 1.
Also worth mentioning that key figures Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis) as well as Nayef Aguerd (Olympique de Marseille) both withdrew from the World Cup due to injury on the eve of the tournament, making their run to the quarterfinals, at least, all the more impressive.
Even without them, Ouahbi is able to not only deploy an impressive starting lineup, but can call upon elite-level replacements off the bench. However, the make-up of this squad is interesting. On the opening day of the group stages against Brazil in New Jersey, earning a credible 1-1 draw, Morocco became the first team in World Cup history to deploy an entire starting XI made up of players born elsewhere. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation, like many others around the world, have focused on dual-national recruitment as the quickest way to raise the level of the national team.
Countries in which Morocco World Cup squad members were born
Squad members' country of birth | Number of players |
|---|---|
Morocco | 7 |
France | 6 |
Spain | 6 |
Netherlands | 3 |
Belgium | 3 |
Canada | 1 |
It's worth stating that, just because only seven squad members were born in Morocco, we are not questioning any of these players' identity or passion for their national team. It is just an interesting phenomenon, something that has become widespread, with many outfits at this World Cup representative of not only their homeland, but their global diaspora.
These overseas born and raised players have massively elevated Morocco top a top-tier level, with their roster featuring some of the highest-rated players on the planet.
Top transfer market value on the Morocco World Cup roster
Players | Transfer value |
|---|---|
Achraf Hakimi | $92 million |
Ayyoub Bouaddi | $57 million |
Ismael Saibari | $46 million |
Brahim Díaz | $40 million |
Bilal El Khannouss | $40 million |
Chemsdine Talbi | $29 million |
Neil El Aynaoui | $26 million |
Samir El Mourabet | $25 million |
Noussair Mazraoui | $21 million |
Zakaria El Ouahdi | $19 million |
Note: All transfer market estimated valuations courtesy of Transfermarkt.
Ayyoub Bouaddi, who only switched his international alligence from France mere weeks before the World Cup began, is a serious talent. The 18-year-old is reportedly valued at around $80 million by his club LOSC Lille, with every single one of Europe's biggest club chasing his signature. Thus, Thursday's clash with les Bleus will be extra significant for him and the other Moroccan players with close connections to France.
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