Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has announced his official starting lineup for the highly anticipated World Cup quarter-final against France.
The Atlas Lions enter the match with major ambitions as they attempt to continue their impressive tournament and secure a place in the semi-finals.
Ouahbi has selected a team featuring several of Morocco’s biggest stars, with Achraf Hakimi among the key figures expected to play an important role against the French side.
Morocco’s lineup against France is as follows:
Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou.
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Adam Masina, Noussair Mazraoui.
Midfielders: Neil El Aynaoui, Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss.
Forwards: Brahim Diaz, Soufiane Rahimi, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.
Morocco will look to combine defensive organisation with speed in attacking transitions as they attempt to challenge one of the tournament favourites.
Achraf Hakimi remains one of Morocco’s most important players ahead of the quarter-final.
The Paris Saint-Germain star provides significant attacking power on the right side with his speed and ability to create opportunities.
Hakimi also has extensive experience in major matches, making his role particularly important against a French team filled with dangerous attacking players.
He will be expected to balance his defensive responsibilities with his ability to support Morocco’s attacks.
Yassine Bounou continues as Morocco’s first-choice goalkeeper for the major quarter-final clash.
The experienced goalkeeper has built a strong reputation in international and knockout football.
Bounou faces a difficult challenge against a French attack led by Kylian Mbappe and several players with exceptional speed and individual quality.
His performance could become one of the decisive factors in Morocco’s attempt to reach the semi-finals.
Morocco will rely on Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Adam Masina and Noussair Mazraoui in defence.
The Atlas Lions will need maximum concentration to limit the threat posed by France.
The French attack is capable of using speed, movement and space to create dangerous opportunities.
Morocco are therefore expected to focus on maintaining their defensive shape and preventing France from finding easy routes into the penalty area.
Neil El Aynaoui, Azzedine Ounahi and Bilal El Khannouss form Morocco’s midfield for the quarter-final.
The trio will be responsible for challenging France’s control of the game and helping Morocco move the ball forward.
Ounahi’s ability to carry possession from defence into attack could be particularly important.
El Khannouss will also provide creativity as Morocco attempt to create opportunities against the French defence.
The midfield battle could play a major role in deciding which team controls the match.
Morocco’s attacking line features Brahim Diaz, Soufiane Rahimi and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.
The trio offer speed, creativity and the ability to attack open spaces.
Brahim Diaz will be one of Morocco’s key creative threats because of his individual skill and movement between the lines.
Rahimi provides additional attacking options through his intelligent movement and goalscoring ability.
Ezzalzouli, meanwhile, will look to use his pace in one-on-one situations and quick counter-attacks.
The Atlas Lions enter the match with one clear objective: continuing their journey in the 2026 World Cup.
Morocco know that France will provide one of their toughest challenges of the tournament.
However, the North African side have demonstrated in recent years that they can compete against the strongest national teams in world football.
That experience gives Morocco and their supporters confidence ahead of the quarter-final.
The quarter-final brings back memories of the famous meeting between the two nations in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals.
This time, Morocco arrive with greater experience and even bigger ambitions.
France are attempting to continue their pursuit of another World Cup title, while the Atlas Lions are looking to write another historic chapter for Moroccan and African football.
With the official lineup now confirmed, attention turns to the pitch as Morocco attempt to overcome France and secure a place in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals.