Morocco announces 26-player squad for 2026 World Cup

Morocco’s national football team, the Atlas Lions, has announced its 26-player squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, blending experienced veterans from its historic 2022 run with a new generation of talent. The squad was selected by head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who took charge in March following the departure of Walid Regragui.

The selection is notable for its reliance on players from the Moroccan diaspora in Europe, with the majority of the squad born outside Morocco. Key inclusions are captain Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid forward Brahim Díaz, both born in Spain. Díaz, who previously represented Spain, has played for Morocco since 2024. The squad also features several players who recently had changes of national eligibility approved by FIFA, including Fulham defender Issa Diop, PSV Eindhoven defender Anass Salah-Eddine, and 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.

A significant omission is forward Youssef En-Nesyri, a central figure in Morocco’s run to the 2022 World Cup semifinals. The squad includes Marseille defender Nayef Aguerd, who has been recovering from an injury since early March and will be given a chance to prove his fitness....