Omar El Hilali hopes to step in for suspended Achraf Hakimi

Morocco must find a replacement for Achraf Hakimi for their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifier against Gabon on 25 September, with Omar El Hilali hoping his strong start to the season can earn him a recall.

Hakimi is due to serve the final match of a suspension imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after incidents during the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final. The Paris Saint-Germain defender is also facing uncertainty after recently suffering an adductor injury.

Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi is preparing to announce his squad for the opening two rounds of qualifying and could include El Hilali among the possible options at right-back.

The Espanyol Barcelona defender made his ambitions clear in an interview with Mundo Deportivo.

“I hope to return. Representing your country is one of the best things a footballer can experience,” he said.

El Hilali has strengthened his case with an encouraging opening to the Liga season. He started each of the first five matches, playing 435 minutes and providing an assist in Espanyol’s 2-0 victory over Osasuna.

The 23-year-old has been given a more attacking role and has enjoyed a sustained run in the side, having established himself as a regular starter.

Born in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, El Hilali is not unfamiliar to the Morocco set-up. He had previously spoken publicly about his desire to become a permanent member of the national team before earning his first cap.

He was called up by Walid Regragui in September 2025 and made his debut against Zambia, although he played for only one minute.

El Hilali has not been selected since and missed both the Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 World Cup. That brief first appearance did not discourage him, with the full-back viewing his performances for Espanyol as the primary route back into the Morocco squad.

A recall would not necessarily mean he had displaced Hakimi, who remains Morocco’s first choice whenever available. However, Hakimi’s suspension gives Ouahbi an opportunity to assess a specialist alternative on the right.

El Hilali offers a different profile from the Paris Saint-Germain player. He is defensively solid and can operate either as a conventional full-back or in a back three. Noussair Mazraoui is another option on the right, although his potential use on the left could create an additional opening.

El Hilali’s international prospects had already raised questions during Regragui’s tenure, when the manager kept the door open despite leaving him out of several squads.

Thursday’s selection will show whether the defender’s latest appeal has been successful. A call-up would not guarantee a starting place, but it would give him a genuine opportunity to compete for a role more than a year after his largely symbolic international debut.

With Hakimi suspended and now dealing with a fitness concern, Morocco need a dependable reserve at right-back. The circumstances could provide El Hilali with the second chance he has continued to wait for.