World Cup 2026: Morocco name final squad as Hakimi, Bounou and Brahim lead Atlas Lions dream

Morocco have named a World Cup squad loaded with experience, European-based quality and emerging dual-national talent as the Atlas Lions prepare to carry Africa’s hopes again at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The squad, as shown in the official list, is led by several of the players who helped Morocco make history in Qatar four years ago, including goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, Paris St-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, Manchester United full-back Noussair Mazraoui, midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz.

Morocco became the first African and Arab country to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022, and their 2026 selection suggests they are not going to North America merely to celebrate that memory.

They are going with a squad that looks built to compete.

Bounou remains the senior figure in goal, while Hakimi and Mazraoui give Morocco elite-level full-back options on both sides of the defence. Nayef Aguerd, Issa Diop and Chadi Riad add physical presence and top-league experience at centre-back.

The biggest talking point in midfield is the inclusion of 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi, whose decision to represent Morocco instead of France was seen as a major boost before the tournament. Reuters reported that FIFA approved his nationality switch, making him immediately eligible for Morocco after he had previously represented France at youth level.

Bouaddi’s selection underlines Morocco’s aggressive and successful push to convince high-level dual-national players to commit to the Atlas Lions. It also sends a message that the national team is no longer waiting for the future — it is bringing the future into the present.

There is also strong attacking depth. Brahim Diaz gives Morocco star quality between the lines, while Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Yassine Gessime, Chemsdine Talbi, Soufiane Rahimi and Ayoub El Kaabi offer different routes to goal.

Diaz will carry huge expectation after becoming one of Morocco’s most important attacking players. Reuters reported earlier this year that he scored in five successive matches at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and helped Morocco reach the semi-finals.

The squad also reflects Morocco’s growing football identity: a national team built from Rabat, Casablanca and Europe’s top leagues, with players developed in France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and England all brought under one flag.

Morocco are in Group C at the 2026 World Cup alongside Brazil, Haiti and Scotland, according to Reuters, giving them a difficult but exciting route in the expanded tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Their opening match against Brazil will immediately test whether this squad is truly ready to move from being admired outsiders to genuine contenders.

The question now is simple and emotional for Moroccan fans: was Qatar 2022 the peak, or was it only the beginning?

This squad gives them every reason to believe the story is not finished.

Full Morocco 2026 World Cup squad

Goalkeepers

Yassine Bounou — Al Hilal

Munir El Kajoui — RS Berkane

Ahmed Reda Agnaout — ASFAR

Defenders

Achraf Hakimi — Paris Saint-Germain

Noussair Mazraoui — Manchester United

Anass Salah-Eddine — PSV Eindhoven

Youssef Belammari — Al Ahly SC

Nayef Aguerd — Olympique Marseille

Issa Diop — Fulham FC

Chadi Riad — Crystal Palace

Redouane Halhal — KV Mechelen

Zakaria El Ouahdi — KRC Genk

Midfielders

Azzedine Ounahi — Girona FC

Neil El Aynaoui — AS Roma

Sofyan Amrabat — Real Betis

Ayyoub Bouaddi — LOSC Lille

Samir El Mourabet — RC Strasbourg

Bilal El Khannouss — VfB Stuttgart

Ismael Saibari — PSV Eindhoven

Forwards

Brahim Diaz — Real Madrid

Abdessamad Ezzalzouli — Real Betis

Yassine Gessime — RC Strasbourg

Chemsdine Talbi — Sunderland FC

Soufiane Rahimi — Al Ain FC

Ayoub El Kaabi — Olympiacos FC

Ayoub Amamouni — Eintracht Frankfurt