Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has unveiled a surprising 28-man squad for the country’s World Cup 2026 preparation camp, leaving out several established stars while handing opportunities to emerging talents. The Atlas Lions begin camp on Friday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex as they intensify preparations for the global tournament later this year. The squad announcement has generated strong reactions across African football circles due to the number of new faces and notable absentees.
New faces earn opportunity with Atlas Lions
Among the headline inclusions is teenage sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi, who recently chose to represent Morocco internationally. The camp will also offer first senior national team opportunities to players such as:
- Othmane Maamma
- Tawfik Bentayeb
- Soufiane Benjdida
- Soufiane El-Faouzi
The move signals Morocco’s intention to build depth and long-term competitiveness ahead of future continental and global competitions.
Boufal returns while Hakimi and Brahim Diaz miss out
One of the major talking points is the return of Sofiane Boufal, who had not featured since the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations. Midfielder Imran Louza also returns after nearly three years away from the national setup. Meanwhile, several key players were omitted from the initial training camp, including captain Achraf Hakimi, star playmaker Brahim Díaz, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and midfielder Azzedine Ounahi. The Moroccan federation indicated that some absences are linked to recovery periods and club obligations, with most expected to rejoin later. However, uncertainty remains around the futures of players such as Youssef En-Nesyri and Hakim Ziyech.
Morocco Target Another Strong World Cup Campaign
Morocco will play Burundi in a closed-door friendly on May 26 before additional preparation matches against Madagascar and Norway. The North African side has been drawn into a challenging Group C featuring Brazil, Scotland and Haiti. As one of Africa’s strongest football nations in recent years, Morocco enters the competition carrying the hopes of a continent eager for another deep World Cup run.
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