Morocco squad brings fresh faces and key returns for AFCON qualifiers

Mohamed Ouahbi has named a 29-player Morocco squad for the next international break, combining four first-time call-ups with the return of several established players. The Atlas Lions will face Gabon and Lesotho in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying before meeting Ghana in a friendly in Tangier. The squad also includes the core of Morocco’s recent teams, with Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz, Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss and Ismaël Saibari among the headline selections.

The youngest newcomer is Abdellah Ouazane, the 17-year-old Ajax Amsterdam midfielder. Ouazane made his professional debut this summer and has recorded 11 appearances, one goal and three assists. His inclusion gives Ouahbi an attacking midfield option with limited senior experience but a strong start to his first season at professional level. He is listed among seven forwards rather than the eight midfielders in the squad.

Soufian El Faouzi is another first-time selection from the Netherlands-born group of Moroccan-eligible players. The 23-year-old Schalke 04 midfielder earned attention after a notable display against Bayern Munich last weekend. His call-up adds another central option to a midfield already containing Ounahi, Saibari, El Khannouss, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui, Samir El Mourabet and Oussama Targalline.

The other new outfield selections are Yassir Zabiri and Tawfik Bentayeb. Zabiri has started the season with Racing Santander and has scored six goals in six Liga matches. Bentayeb, formerly of Troyes and now with Anderlecht, also receives his first call-up. In goal, Alaa Bellarouch completes the new arrivals. The Dinamo Bucharest goalkeeper is on loan from SC Braga and has regained regular playing time in Romania after his move away from Strasbourg.

Bellarouch joins Yassine Bounou, Munir El Kajoui and Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti in a four-man goalkeeping group. The defensive list is built around Noussair Mazraoui, Nayef Aguerd and Hakimi, while Anass Salah-Eddine, Marwane Saadane, Redouane Halhal, Issa Diop, Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Zakaria El Ouahdi and Ali Maamar provide further options. The squad therefore keeps a familiar defensive structure while adding depth around its established leaders.

Aguerd is one of the most significant returnees. The defender, now back with Marseille, was among the players who missed Morocco’s last World Cup through injury. Abdessamad Ezzalzouli also returns after missing that tournament because of injury. Ait Boudlal is back as well after being left out of the World Cup squad by the previous selection decision. Their inclusion increases the number of players available to Ouahbi in a period containing three fixtures.

Morocco’s midfield and attack show a similar balance between continuity and change. El Khannouss, Ounahi and Saibari remain among the senior options, while El Faouzi and Ouazane represent the new generation. The attacking group includes Brahim Diaz, Yassine Gessime, Ezzalzouli, Ouazane, Soufiane Rahimi, Bentayeb and Zabiri. Ebnoutalib is absent after being called up by Germany, despite also being eligible to represent Morocco. His omission is therefore linked to an international choice rather than a place in Ouahbi’s squad.

The schedule gives the new coach more preparation time than a standard international window. The gathering will last more than 15 days, allowing Ouahbi to work with the newcomers and reintegrate Aguerd, Ezzalzouli and Ait Boudlal before the competitive matches. Gabon and Lesotho come first in the AFCON qualifying programme, followed by the friendly against Ghana in Tangier. The group’s immediate task is to combine the established names with the seven players receiving their first Morocco call-up or their first selection under this staff.