Neil El Aynaoui and Souffian El Karouani are on course to rejoin the Moroccan national team as head coach Walid Regragui prepares his squad for two decisive World Cup qualifiers in September.
Multiple reports from Moroccan media suggest both players are expected to be included in the Atlas Lions’ squad for the upcoming fixtures against Niger and Zambia.
El Aynaoui, who recently signed for AS Roma, and El Karouani, currently playing for Dutch side Utrecht, are now seen as likely additions to the roster as Morocco aims to seal qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Morocco’s campaign will resume on September 4 with a home clash against Niger at the newly refurbished Moulay Abdellah Complex in Rabat.
Four days later, Regragui’s men will travel to Ndola to face Zambia on September 8. Both encounters are part of the seventh and eighth rounds of the CAF qualification series.
El Aynaoui, 24, had been included in Morocco’s previous training camp but was forced to withdraw due to injury. The midfielder has since recovered and appears ready to make his long-awaited debut for the national team.
His availability comes after a recent clarification from his father, former professional tennis player Younes El Aynaoui, who confirmed his son’s commitment to representing Morocco.
Souffian El Karouani, meanwhile, is poised for a return after an extended spell away from international duty.
The 23-year-old left-back last featured for the Atlas Lions in January 2022 and previously made three appearances during the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup.
His inclusion would mark a comeback after more than two years on the fringes of the national setup.
Both potential call-ups come at a critical juncture for Morocco, who currently sit in a strong position in their qualifying group. Victories in both September fixtures would secure the team’s place at the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Regragui, who guided Morocco to a historic semi-final run at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, is aiming to continue building a squad capable of matching or surpassing that achievement on the world stage. The possible returns of El Aynaoui and El Karouani add depth and versatility to a side that has undergone gradual transition while maintaining high competitive standards.
The final squad announcement is expected in the coming weeks, with training camp preparations likely to begin before the end of August. For both El Aynaoui and El Karouani, September offers a significant opportunity to reignite their international careers at a time when Morocco stands just two wins away from securing a place at football’s biggest event.
