The CAF side Morocco is ready for the FIFA World Cup 2022. Head Coach Walid Regragui announced the 26-member full squad for this tournament on 10th November.
The 2022 edition will be the sixth FIFA World Cup appearance for the Atlas Lions. This team is confident to create a new history for the country in Qatar.
World Cup History
Morocco, the former part of France, made their FIFA World Cup debut in 1970. They also appeared in the 1986, 1994, 1998 and 2018 editions before the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. Except in 1986, the Atlas Lions always failed to advance to the knockout stages.
In the 1986 edition, Morocco finished as the Group F champions where England, Poland and Portugal were the other teams. In the Round of 16 of that competition, the Atlas Lions lost against West Germany by 1-0.
Last Tournament
In the FIFA World Cup 2018, Morocco were eliminated from the Group Stage. They fought against Spain, Portugal, and Iran in the Group B of that competition, where they recorded a 2-2 draw against Spain after losing 1-0 against both Iran and Portugal.
After that tournament, the Atlas Lions successfully defended African Nations Championship 2020, while they also reached the Round of 16 and Quarter-finals in the Africa Cup of Nations 2019 and 2021 respectively.
Qualification
In the FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF) process, Morocco earned a bye to the second round, as they were the fifth side among the top 26 FIFA-ranked teams in this progression list.
In the Group I of the second round, Morocco competed with Guinea-Bissau, Guinea and Sudan. The Atlas Lions won all six matches in that round, where they scored 20 goals and conceded only once.
In the double-leg third round, Morocco beat DR Congo by 5-2 (1-1 & 4-1) to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Preparation
Last September, Morocco won against Chile (2-0) and had a goalless draw against Paraguay. Just three days before the opening game of the FIFA World Cup 2022, the Atlas Lions thrashed Georgia by 3-0.
Morocco FIFA World Cup squad 2022:
Goalkeepers: Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (Wydad AC), Yassine Bounou (Sevilla), Munir Mohamedi (Al Wehda).
Defenders: Yahia Attiat Allal (Wydad), Badr Benoun (Qatar SC), Achraf Hakimi (PSG), Noussair Mazraoui (Bayern Munich), Romain Saiss (Besiktas) [Captain], Nayef Aguerd (West Ham), Jawad El Yamiq (Real Valladolid), Achraf Dari (Brest).
Midfielders: Abdelhamid Sabiri (Sampdoria), Yahya Jabrane (Wydad), Bilel El (Genk), Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina), Selim Amallah (Standard Liege), Azzedine Ounahi (Angers).
Forwards: Ilaias Chair (QPR), Sofiane Boufal (Angers), Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al Ittihad), Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea), Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla), Abde Ezzalzouli (Osasuna), Walid Cheddira (SSC Bari), Anass Zaroury (Burnley).
Head Coach: Walid Regragui
The 32-year-old Romain Saiss is leading this team in this World Cup.
Although Amine Harit was named in the full-member squad, Anass Zaroury later replaced him after an injury forced Harit to miss this competition.
Check here Portugal’s Squad for FIFA World Cup 2022 & Team Profile and Netherlands’s Squad for FIFA World Cup 2022 & Team Profile
Strength
Morocco have a good number of players with UEFA Champions League experiences. In 2022, the Atlas Lions lost twice out of 13 games. Moreover, between 2020 and 2021, they lost only once and that too in the penalty shootout. It shows that the team is really strong and consistent on the field.
Weakness
Morocco are inexperienced with worldfootball. Despite their incredible consistency in recent years, their ability still doubtful to handle immense pressure against strong world football teams. Also,their new head coach Walid Regragui officially joined the team on 31st August2022, so he hasn’t gotten enough opportunities to prepare for this World Cup.
Star Player: Hakim Ziyech
Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech is one of the star players for the Atlas Lions. He is the leading goal-scorer in this World Cup squad with 18 goals in 43 games in a national team jersey. Also, Morocco have other big names like Achraf Hakimi, Youssef En-Nesyri etc.
Also Read | Belgium’s Squad for FIFA World Cup 2022 & Team Profile and Uruguay’s Squad for FIFA World Cup 2022 & Team Profile
How Morocco will line up at FIFA World Cup 2022?
Opponents & Fixtures
(Group F)
Morocco vs Croatia – 23rd November 2022, Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor (13:00 local time/15:30 IST)
Belgium vs Morocco – 27th November 2022, Al Thumama Stadium, Doha (16:00 local time/18:30 IST)
Canada vs Morocco – 1st December 2022, Al Thumama Stadium, Doha (18:00 local time/20:30 IST)
Prediction
Despite their strong current form, many experts believe that Morocco will once again end their FIFA World Cup journey from the Group Stage. However, the present Atlas Lions are very different from the previous sides, as the team has the ability to stun the football world.
