Mohamed Wahbi has announced Morocco’s 26-man World Cup squad, blending AFCON-final continuity with surprise inclusions such as Fulham's Issa Diop and Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz. Ten of the 11 starters from the Africa Cup of Nations final return, while the selection balances experience around captain Achraf Hakimi and a quartet of Premier League players as Morocco prepare for Group C tests against Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.
Morocco name 26-man World Cup squad as Wahbi prioritises experience and tactical versatility
Mohamed Wahbi’s squad announcement is a clear attempt to preserve the spine that delivered at the Africa Cup of Nations while adding pieces that offer tactical flexibility for the World Cup. Ten of the 11 starters from this year’s AFCON final have been retained, underscoring continuity under a coach who has had under four months to prepare for the summer tournament.
Headline inclusions and surprises
Achraf Hakimi returns as captain and defensive fulcrum, providing leadership and attacking width from right-back. Brahim Díaz’s recall stands out given Real Madrid’s muted domestic season, signalling Wahbi’s faith in his creativity in the final third. The surprise call-up is Fulham defender Issa Diop, a recent Morocco convert whose Premier League minutes are limited but whose physical profile adds depth to the backline.
Premier League representation
Four current or recent Premier League players make the cut: Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United), Chadi Riad (Crystal Palace), Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland) and Issa Diop (Fulham). That quartet injects top-flight experience and athleticism, though none is an automatic starter, reflecting Wahbi’s preference for form and tactical fit over profile alone.
Squad balance: defence, midfield, attack
The defenders list mixes seasoned internationals and domestic-league performers. Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui offer ball-playing and aerial presence, while Anass Salah-Eddine and Zakaria El Ouahdi provide younger options for wide defense. The omission of 32-year-old Adam Masina—one of the few absentees from the AFCON starting XI—suggests selection based on current form and system fit.
Midfield retains its combative core with Sofyan Amrabat providing ball-winning grit and Azzedine Ounahi/Ismael Saibari offering forward-driving passes. Bilal El Khannouss and Neil El Aynaoui bring technical range. This blend gives Wahbi options to sit deeper or push for midfield superiority depending on the opponent.
Up front, Brahim Díaz’s inclusion enhances creative link-up play alongside pacy forwards like Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and the young Chemsdine Talbi. Ayoub El Kaabi remains a proven scoring option in the squad; depth across the forward line suggests Morocco can switch between direct transitions and possession-based patterns.
Goalkeeping choices
Yassine Bounou leads a three-man goalkeeping group, backed by Munir El Kajoui and Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti. Bounou’s experience in big-game European fixtures will be crucial, especially given the calibre of Group C opposition.
Tactical implications and what to expect
Wahbi’s selection prioritises defensive solidity and transitional threat. With Hakimi and full-backs capable of high-fielding, Morocco can overload flanks and invite pressure to hit on the break—an approach that troubled higher-ranked teams at the last World Cup. The midfield composition allows for both the protection of the back four and creative rotations through Díaz or Ounahi.
In matches against elite opponents like Brazil, expect Wahbi to start cautiously, lean on organisation and exploit set-piece and counterattacking moments. Against Scotland and Haiti, the squad’s depth gives Morocco license to vary shape and tempo.
What this means for Morocco’s World Cup prospects
Continuity from the AFCON final suggests Morocco remain a cohesive unit with international chemistry—an advantage in a compact tournament where minutes matter. The inclusion of players who can alter games off the bench, such as Díaz, indicates a pragmatic approach: play for results but retain game-changing options.
Group C roadmap and next steps
Morocco open their World Cup campaign against Brazil on June 13, followed by games with Scotland and Haiti. With less than four months of Wahbi’s tenure before the tournament started, preparation time has been tight; final tune-up friendlies and fitness checks will determine the starting XI and tactical nuances.
Final note
This 26-man squad signals a clear strategic choice: maintain the core that delivered continental success while injecting specific, functional pieces to address weaknesses exposed in recent months.
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Whether Wahbi’s blend of experience and selective novelty can propel Morocco beyond their 2022 semi-final benchmark will depend on cohesion, in-tournament management and how well the newcomers adapt to the demands of World Cup soccer.
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