Walid Regragui names strong Morocco squad for Mozambique and Uganda friendlies

The head coach of Morocco’s Atlas Lions, Walid Regragui, has named a 27-man squad for the team’s upcoming friendly matches against Mozambique and Uganda.

The squad features the notable absence of Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, who is currently sidelined with an injury. However, the biggest talking point is the return of veteran defender Romain Saiss, who has not featured for the national team in nearly 18 months. His last appearance came in a 2-1 World Cup qualifier win over Zambia on June 7, 2024.

Saiss remains one of the most influential figures in Moroccan football, having captained the Atlas Lions during their historic 2022 World Cup campaign and several major tournaments. Yet, at 35, questions linger about whether he can still perform at the level that once defined his international career.

The Al-Sadd defender spent over four months on the sidelines with a serious ankle ligament injury during the 2024–25 season and has only managed 1,535 minutes of playing time since returning to action with the Qatari club in June 2024.

Despite those concerns, Regragui believes Saiss’ leadership and experience are indispensable. “You don’t win at the Africa Cup of Nations with young defenders. We need experience at the back,” the coach stated when asked about the veteran’s inclusion.

Morocco will take on Mozambique on November 14 and Uganda on November 18, both at 8 p.m. local time (GMT+1). The matches will mark the grand reopening of the newly renovated Ibn Tatouta Stadium in Tangier.

Check out the full squad below: