World Cup 2026: Feyenoord midfielder Oussama Targaline dreaming of Morocco call-up

Moroccan midfielder Oussama Targaline has expressed his strong desire to represent Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, admitting it would be a dream come true to make the final Atlas Lions squad for football’s biggest tournament.

Targaline made the remarks during an interview with ESPN, where he revealed that he is eagerly awaiting the announcement of Morocco’s final World Cup squad after working tirelessly throughout the season to impress the national team coaching staff.

Targaline explained that he remains hopeful of earning a place in the squad and believes he has done everything possible to put himself in contention for selection.

“There is still a friendly match before the final squad is announced,” he said. “I hope to be on the list. I’ve worked hard and done everything I need to do, and the rest is out of my hands.”

The young midfielder did not hide his excitement at the possibility of featuring at the global showpiece, emphasizing how special the tournament is for every professional footballer.

“It’s the World Cup, and every player dreams of playing in this tournament,” he added.

Morocco head into the 2026 tournament carrying high expectations following their historic run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where the Atlas Lions became the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals.

Targaline acknowledged the scale of the challenge awaiting Morocco in the group stage after the Atlas Lions were drawn alongside Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti in Group C. Despite the difficult opposition, he maintained confidence in the team’s ability while stressing that every World Cup fixture presents a unique challenge.

“All World Cup matches are complicated; there are no easy games in this tournament,” the midfielder explained.

The former youth international also expressed optimism that Morocco can once again make a strong impression on the global stage as the country seeks to build on its recent success in Qatar.

Targaline’s rise at Feyenoord has continued to attract attention, with the midfielder viewed as one of Morocco’s emerging talents capable of strengthening the national team’s midfield depth ahead of the tournament.

As competition for places intensifies, the coming weeks could prove decisive for the young midfielder, who now waits anxiously to discover whether his World Cup dream will become reality.