Morocco name 26-player squad for home Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

Morocco head coach Jorge Vilda Rodriguez has announced a 26-player squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with the Atlas Lionesses preparing to challenge for the continental title on home soil.

Speaking at the Mohammed VI Football Complex on Friday, 17 July, the Spanish coach confirmed the players selected for the tournament, which will be held in Morocco between the end of July and the middle of August.

“Twenty-six players have been selected.”

Vilda has structured his squad across all areas of the pitch, naming three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and nine forwards as Morocco prepares for another campaign in the continental competition.

The goalkeeping department consists of Khadija Er-Rmichi, Ines Arouaissa and Fatima-Zahra El Jebraoui.

In defence, Vilda has selected Hanane Ait El Haj, Zineb Redouani, Aziza Rabbah, Siham Boukhami, Rania Boutiebi, Nouhaila Benzina, Maryame Atiq and Nesryne El Chad.

Captain Ghizlane Chebbak leads the midfield group, which also includes Soumia Hady, Najat Badri, Hajar Said, Yasmin-Katie M’Rabet and Elodie Nahla Nakkach.

The attacking options are Kenza Chapelle, Imane Saoud, Kautar Azraf, Jade Nassi, Fatima Tagnaout, Sakina Ouzraoui, Chaimaa Mourtaji, Ibtissam Jraidi and Sanaa Mssoudy, according to information published by Maroc-Hebdo following the press conference.

The squad announcement also confirms the inclusion of Kautar Azraf, who is set to feature in her first major continental tournament.

The 18-year-old FC Barcelona forward earned her place after progressing through the youth ranks before making the step up to the senior national team.

Morocco have been drawn in Group A, where they will face Senegal, Algeria and Kenya. The tournament has expanded to 16 teams, increasing from the previous format of 12, while Morocco will host the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the third consecutive edition.

The Atlas Lionesses enter the competition looking to go one step further after finishing as runners-up in each of the last two tournaments. They were beaten by South Africa in the 2022 final before losing to Nigeria in the 2025 showpiece.

With home support behind them once again, Morocco will begin the tournament aiming to turn recent final appearances into their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.