Morocco at the 2026 World Cup: Historic Ambition Amid Internal Turmoil

Four years after their historic run to the 2022 World Cup semifinals, Morocco returns to the global stage with a squad full of quality but marred by unprecedented chaos in their buildup. The departure of coach Walid Regragui in March, combined with the fallout from the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, has raised serious questions for new manager Mohamed Ouahbi—previously only a U20 coach.

The AFCON final against Senegal in Rabat in January spiraled into one of the most contentious events in African football history. With the score 0–0, Morocco was awarded a controversial penalty after a VAR review. Senegal players protested strongly, briefly leaving the field. After returning, Brahim Diaz saw his panenka effort saved. Senegal went on to win 1–0 in extra time. However, in March, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) stripped Senegal of the title and awarded it to Morocco, ruling that Senegal had forfeited. Senegal appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), alleging collusion between CAF and Morocco. The case remains unresolved, leaving a toxic residue within the squad.

Coaching Crisis
Regragui, who led Morocco to their semifinal heroics, left his post in March. The reasons are believed to be a mix of the AFCON final defeat and disagreements with the federation over the team's direction. His replacement, Mohamed Ouahbi, guided Morocco's U20s to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup title. The federation called it a “strategic decision.” Ouahbi stated: “I’m not here to build—the foundations are already laid. I’m here to maintain success.” However, thrusting a coach with only youth-team experience onto the World Cup stage amid such turmoil represents a monumental challenge.

Stars Waiting to Shine After a Nightmare
Brahim Diaz was the standout player at AFCON, scoring five goals to win the Golden Boot. But his failed panenka in the final could leave psychological scars. His agility, intelligence, and ability to create magic remain Morocco's most potent weapon. Meanwhile, right-back Achraf Hakimi, who won a historic treble with PSG and was named African Player of the Year, faces criminal allegations (which he denies) but is still widely regarded as the world's best right-back.

New Faces and Old Guard
Eighteen-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille), formerly of France’s youth system, earned his first senior call-up. “A dream come true, but above all the start of a new chapter,” Bouaddi wrote on social media. He added: “I am grateful to France for giving me that jersey in my youth.” However, Youssef En-Nesyri, hero of the 2022 quarterfinal goal that eliminated Portugal, was omitted from the squad. Central defender Nayef Aguerd (Marseille), who has not played since March due to injury, was still called up.

Group C: Brazil, Scotland, Haiti
Morocco opens against Brazil on June 13 in New Jersey—a team still stacked with stars. They then face Scotland (June 19, Boston) and Haiti (June 24, Atlanta). Al Jazeera predicts Morocco will exit in the round of 16. Still, with their talent pool, the North Africans are capable of springing a surprise.

Morocco’s 2026 World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal), Munir Mohamedi (RS Berkane), Ahmed Tagnaouti (Royal Armed Forces).
Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United), Anass Salah-Eddine (PSV), Youssef Belammari (Al Ahly), Nayef Aguerd (Marseille), Chadi Riad (Crystal Palace), Issa Diop (West Ham), Redouane Halhal (KV Mechelen), Achraf Hakimi (PSG), 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).
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).