Morocco unveils 26-player squad for World Cup, excluding En-Nesyri and El Karouani

Ouahbi, appointed in March as Walid Regragui's successor, finalised his 26-player squad following a brief training session with borderline candidates.

The 49-year-old coach, originally from Belgium, included prominent names such as Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi, currently recovering from a thigh injury picked up during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz, who missed a penalty in the African Cup of Nations final earlier this year.

Notably absent are Eredivisie standouts Souffian El Karouani from FC Utrecht and Oussama Targhalline of Feyenoord. Despite El Karouani's impressive tally of 12 assists and Targhalline's key role in Feyenoord's runner-up finish under Robin van Persie, neither made the cut.

The selected squad features just eight players from the historic 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign, where Morocco secured fourth place. Striker Youssef En-Nesyri, who netted two decisive goals during their remarkable run in Qatar, is among the notable omissions. Their 2022 performance marked the first time an African team reached the World Cup semi-finals.

As reigning AFCON champions, Morocco find themselves in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti. Their tournament starts on Sunday, 14th June, with an opening match against Brazil.

Squad details

Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal), Munir El Kajoui (Berkane), Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (Asfar)

Defenders: Nayef Aguerd (Marseille), Youssef Belammari (Al Ahly), Issa Diop (Fulham), Zakaria El Ouahdi (Genk), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Redouane Halhal (KV Mechelen), Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United), Chadi Riad (Crystal Palace), Anass Salah-Eddine (PSV, on loan from Roma)

Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat (Real Betis), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille), Neil El Aynaoui (Roma), Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart), Samir El Mourabet (Strasbourg), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona), Ismael Saibari (PSV)

Forwards: Ayoube Amaimouni (Eintracht Frankfurt), Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos), Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis), Yassine Gessime (Strasbourg), Soufiane Rahimi (Al-Ain), Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland)