As the international break approaches, Morocco’s head coach Walid Regragui has named a 26-man squad for the Atlas Lions’ upcoming matches—first a friendly against Bahrain, followed by a crucial World Cup qualifier against Congo.
Two familiar faces return to the lineup: Real Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli and Feyenoord midfielder Oussama Targhaline have both earned recalls. Meanwhile, midfielder Azzedine Ounahi misses out due to injury.
The Moroccan national team will face Bahrain on October 9 in a friendly match at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. Five days later, they’ll be back on the same pitch for a high-stakes clash against Congo—the final fixture in their group stage for African qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Between the posts, Regragui has called up the experienced Yassine Bounou from Al Hilal, Mounir El Kajoui of RS Berkane, and Mehdi Lahrar representing Raja. The defensive unit features a mix of European and Middle Eastern-based players, including PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd, Jawad El Yamiq of Al Najma, and Mohamed Chibi who plays in Egypt for Pyramids FC.
In midfield, the selection blends established names with rising talents. Sofyan Amrabat, now at Betis, anchors the group alongside Stuttgart’s Bilal El Khannous and PSV’s Ismael Saibari. They’re joined by Neil El Ainaoui from Roma and Bayer Leverkusen’s Eliesse Ben Seghir.
Up front, Morocco will be counting on a potent attacking lineup. Youssef En-Nesyri, now with Fenerbahce, leads the charge with Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz and Bournemouth’s Amine Adli offering creative firepower. They’ll be supported by Ayoub El Kaabi, who’s currently playing for Olympiakos, and Hamza Igamane from Lille.
With momentum building ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Regragui’s squad selection reflects a blend of experience, youthful energy, and tactical flexibility—all crucial for the two very different challenges awaiting them in Rabat.
