Making their first appearance since 1998, Morocco didn't lose a game during qualification.
Undefeated: Morocco didn't lose a game during qualification, culminating in a 2-0 victory against the Ivory Coast (Getty Images)
Morocco World Cup Fixtures, Squad, Group, Guide
Morocco have long been underachievers on the African footballing stage, given the depth of their squad and the talent they have at their disposal, but in recent years they have ramped up their ambition and they now return to the 2018 World Cup stage. They last played in the finals in France in 1998, but are back after hiring Herve Renard to guide their fortunes. A creative midfield is complimented by a strong defence but, although they won one of their qualifying games 6-0, striking is still a problem.
Key Moments in Qualifying
Nov 2016
Held to a goalless draw at home in Marrakech by group favourites Ivory Coast, Morocco have just two points from their opening two Group C games and are already trailing in the standings.
Jun 2017
Renard travels to meet Hakim Ziyech in Amsterdam and persuades the Ajax player to rejoin the fold after the midfielder said he would no longer play for Morocco following the coach’s decision to leave him out of the squad for the African Nations Cup.
Sep 2017
Six goals, including two from Ziyech on his return, against Mali give Morocco an injection of self-belief.
Sep 2017
A 0-0 draw with Mali takes them to five points. But Ivory Coast, who could have gone five points clear, lose at home to a weak Gabon side, who are without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Nov 2017
Needing only a draw away to Ivory Coast, two goals in as many minutes midway through the first half seal victory.
Held to a goalless draw at home in Marrakech by group favourites Ivory Coast, Morocco have just two points from their opening two Group C games and are already trailing in the standings.
Jun 2017
Renard travels to meet Hakim Ziyech in Amsterdam and persuades the Ajax player to rejoin the fold after the midfielder said he would no longer play for Morocco following the coach’s decision to leave him out of the squad for the African Nations Cup.
Sep 2017
Six goals, including two from Ziyech on his return, against Mali give Morocco an injection of self-belief.
Sep 2017
A 0-0 draw with Mali takes them to five points. But Ivory Coast, who could have gone five points clear, lose at home to a weak Gabon side, who are without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Nov 2017
Needing only a draw away to Ivory Coast, two goals in as many minutes midway through the first half seal victory.
Morocco World Cup Group
Morocco will do well to get out a tough group with Portugal, Spain and Iran making up the rest of the group.
Morocco World Cup Friendlies
On the 23rd of March Morocco will played against Serbia and won 2-1. They then followed that up with a win against Uzbekistan four days later. A draw against Ukraine and another win against Slovakia came at the end of May and start of June. Finally, they play Estonia on the 9th.
- 23rd March – Serbia (won 2-1)
- 27th March – Uzbekistan (won 2-0)
- 31st May – Ukraine (drew 0-0)
- 4th June – Slovakia (won 2-1)
- 9th June – Estonia
Morocco World Cup Fixtures
Morocco will play against Iran first in the opening game of Group B on the 15th of June. Portugaland then Spain will follow on the 20th and 25th of June.
The Coach
Herve Renard, age 49 (30.09.68)
After a limited playing career, he got his break as Claude le Roy’s assistant with Ghana in 2008 and went on to win African Nations Cup titles with Zambia (2012) and Ivory Coast (2015).
After a limited playing career, he got his break as Claude le Roy’s assistant with Ghana in 2008 and went on to win African Nations Cup titles with Zambia (2012) and Ivory Coast (2015).
Revival: Behind Herve Renard, Morocco has gone through a revival (Getty Images)
The Players
Stars
Juventus defender Mehdi Benatia enjoys the highest profile of the Moroccan exports, while the midfield duo of Mbark Boussoufa and Younes Belhanda have a star quality that energises the team.
Stalwarts
Dutch-born Karim El Ahmadi is the anchor of the side and Hakim Ziyech on the right is a creative force.
Missing
Injury saw defender Manuel Da Costa miss much of the qualifying and he could lose his place in the squad. Striker Youssef El Arabi also looks to have been cast aside.
Debuts
Feyenoord’s Sofyan Amrabat has chosen to play for Morocco over Holland, just as Ziyech did two years earlier.
Stars
Juventus defender Mehdi Benatia enjoys the highest profile of the Moroccan exports, while the midfield duo of Mbark Boussoufa and Younes Belhanda have a star quality that energises the team.
Stalwarts
Dutch-born Karim El Ahmadi is the anchor of the side and Hakim Ziyech on the right is a creative force.
Missing
Injury saw defender Manuel Da Costa miss much of the qualifying and he could lose his place in the squad. Striker Youssef El Arabi also looks to have been cast aside.
Debuts
Feyenoord’s Sofyan Amrabat has chosen to play for Morocco over Holland, just as Ziyech did two years earlier.
Morocco World Cup Squad
Final World Cup Squad –
GOALKEEPERS: Mounir El Kajoui (Numancia), Yassine Bounou (Girona), Ahmad Reda Tagnaouti (Ittihad Tanger)
DEFENDERS: Mehdi Benatia (Juventus), Romain Saiss (Wolves), Manuel Da Costa (Basaksehir), Badr Benoun (Raja Casablanca), Nabil Dirar (Fenerbahce), Achraf Hakimi (Real Madrid), Hamza Mendyl (LOSC)
MIDFIELDERS: M’barek Boussoufa (Al Jazira), Karim El Ahmadi (Feyenoord), Youssef Ait Bennasser (Caen), Sofyan Amrabat (Feyenoord), Younes Belhanda (Galatasaray), Faycal Fajr (Getafe), Amine Harit (Schalke 04)
FORWARDS: Khalid Boutaib (Malatyaspor), Aziz Bouhaddouz (Saint Pauli), Ayoub El Kaabi (Renaissance Berkane), Nordin Amrabat (Leganes), Mehdi Carcela (Standard de Liege), Hakim Ziyech (Ajax).
Morocco World Cup Injuries
Related: World Cup TV Schedule
High Profile: Mehdi Benatia has the highest profile of the Moroccan players. He will anchor their defence (Getty Images)
The Unanswered Questions
Will Morocco manage to retain their new-found unity?
There are many disparate elements to a squad that has a French-born contingent, a Dutch-born colony and a few born in Morocco itself. It has not always been harmonious but a return to the World Cup has been built on team spirit.
There are many disparate elements to a squad that has a French-born contingent, a Dutch-born colony and a few born in Morocco itself. It has not always been harmonious but a return to the World Cup has been built on team spirit.
Is Karim El Ahmadi past his sell by date at international level?
The former Aston Villa midfielder, who is now 32, played a major role in the World Cup qualifying campaign and was also integral to Feyenoord winning the Dutch title last season. However, his legs look to be growing a little weary and he could struggle this summer.
The former Aston Villa midfielder, who is now 32, played a major role in the World Cup qualifying campaign and was also integral to Feyenoord winning the Dutch title last season. However, his legs look to be growing a little weary and he could struggle this summer.
Weary: At 32, is Karim El Ahmadi past his prime? (Getty Images)
Could Herve Renard’s side be a little light in attack?
At the African Nations Cup in January, the gangly Aziz Bouhaddouz – who plays for St Pauli in the German second division – was the team’s target man. He has since lost his starting place – and ever since then Morocco have little physical presence in attack.
At the African Nations Cup in January, the gangly Aziz Bouhaddouz – who plays for St Pauli in the German second division – was the team’s target man. He has since lost his starting place – and ever since then Morocco have little physical presence in attack.
Will Renard make more changes to keep the regulars on their toes?
Probably! He is a man who likes to have an edgy camp, keeping players on their toes, and he will most likely spring a surprise with some new selections when the team play their next friendlies in March. For example Sofiane Boufal has missed out on the squad.
Probably! He is a man who likes to have an edgy camp, keeping players on their toes, and he will most likely spring a surprise with some new selections when the team play their next friendlies in March. For example Sofiane Boufal has missed out on the squad.
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