Morocco: Hakim Ziyech’s hat-trick revives debate over possible Atlas Lions return

Hakim Ziyech delivered a stunning reminder of his quality with a hat-trick for Wydad Casablanca on Saturday, but uncertainty still surrounds whether the Moroccan playmaker can force his way back into Mohamed Ouahbi’s plans ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The former Chelsea and Ajax midfielder inspired Wydad to a dramatic 3-2 victory over Hassania Agadir in the 21st round of the Botola, producing one of his most influential performances since returning to Moroccan football last year.

Ziyech’s display immediately reignited discussions about a potential return to the Atlas Lions setup, especially with Ouahbi expected to announce his final squad after Morocco’s friendly match against Burundi on 26 May.

When Ziyech made the unexpected decision to join Wydad Casablanca in October 2025, the move raised eyebrows across Moroccan football.

The objective behind the transfer appeared obvious: regain rhythm, rebuild confidence and return to contention for the national team before the World Cup.

For several months, however, that gamble appeared unlikely to succeed.

Recurring physical setbacks disrupted his progress, while Morocco’s attacking department became increasingly competitive.

New names emerged, younger players gained momentum and the national team gradually evolved without one of its most recognizable figures.

Yet Saturday night in Casablanca offered another reminder of why Ziyech remains one of the most gifted players Morocco has produced in recent years.

The Wydad captain opened his account with two penalties before producing the standout moment of the evening.

Dribbling past three defenders, he unleashed a powerful left-footed strike to complete his hat-trick and seal victory for his side.

It was the kind of goal supporters have long associated with the player known as “The Wizard”, a footballer capable of changing the course of a match with one moment of brilliance.

The performance also underlined Wydad’s recent improvement under Mohamed Benchrifa, who became the club’s third coach of the season following spells under Abdelhadi Benhachem and Patrice Carteron.

The Moroccan giants have now recorded four wins in five matches across all competitions, with Ziyech playing a leading role in their resurgence.

Individually, the numbers strengthen his case for consideration.

Despite injury interruptions during the campaign, the 64-cap international has registered seven goals and two assists in just nine appearances.

On paper, those statistics place him among the more productive attacking players available to Morocco ahead of the World Cup.

The reality, however, remains more complicated.

Ziyech has not featured for the Atlas Lions since September 2024, and the competition for places in Morocco’s attack has intensified significantly during his absence.

Several younger players are now fighting for opportunities, including Gessime Yassine, Rayane Bounida and Amine Adli.

Those emerging options have become part of the wider transition taking place within the national team setup as Morocco continues preparing for another major international tournament.

For Ouahbi, the situation presents a delicate balance between experience and renewal.

On one side stands a player with proven quality at the highest level of European football and extensive international experience.

On the other is a generation of younger attackers viewed as central to Morocco’s long-term future.

The timing of Ziyech’s hat-trick has therefore added extra intrigue ahead of the final squad announcement.

Among Moroccan supporters, opinions remain divided.

Some believe a player of Ziyech’s technical ability and personality can still make a decisive contribution during a major competition, particularly in high-pressure moments where experience becomes invaluable.

Others feel the national team must continue building around the new generation and avoid returning to players whose recent involvement with the squad has been limited.

What remains undeniable is the emotional connection many supporters still have with the left-footed playmaker.

His performances for Morocco over the years helped establish him as one of the key figures of a memorable era for the national team.

Saturday’s display against Hassania Agadir revived memories of the player capable of unlocking defences with creativity, vision and precision.

Whether that performance arrives too late to influence Ouahbi’s thinking remains unclear.

At present, a return to the national team still appears difficult, especially given the increased competition within the squad and the coaching staff’s recent direction.

Yet Ziyech’s latest performance has ensured the debate is far from over.

In football, particularly before a World Cup, momentum can shift quickly.

And with one explosive evening in Casablanca, Hakim Ziyech has forced his name back into the conversation.