Mohamed Ouahbi takes charge of a Morocco side that arrives at a home-continent World Cup carrying the weight of genuine precedent. Walid Regragui's predecessor built the Atlas Lions into semifinalists at Qatar 2022 — the first African nation to reach that stage — and Ouahbi inherits both the infrastructure and the expectation that milestone created. Morocco qualified without serious disruption and now sit eighth in the FIFA rankings, a position that would have seemed implausible a decade ago and now reads as confirmation rather than surprise. The realistic question is no longer whether Morocco belong among the contenders, but whether this squad can push past the last four.
Key players
Ismael Saibari (PSV, attacking midfield) is Morocco's most dangerous offensive presence: 19 goals and 9 assists across 36 league appearances, with an xG of 14.5 that confirms he converts well above expectation. He leads the line as the nominal striker in the predicted XI and combines volume shooting — 110 attempts — with 13 big chances created, a dual threat that few No. 10-turned-strikers can match. Bilal El Khannouss (VfB Stuttgart, attacking midfield) operates behind him as the primary creator, logging 74 key passes, 11 assists, and an xA-backed 7.5 xG across 44 appearances; his decision-making in tight spaces gives Morocco a consistent rhythm through the middle third. The defensive anchor is Neil El Aynaoui (Roma, central midfield), whose 46 tackles, 35 interceptions, and 93 ball recoveries in 34 appearances underpin the compactness that has defined this side — modest in output but structurally essential. Captain Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, right back) adds a further creative layer from deep, contributing 10 assists and 47 key passes while also winning 99 duels across 32 league games.
Predicted XI
Form going into the tournament
Morocco's 4-2-3-1 under Mohamed Ouahbi is built around a mid-to-high press that aims to win the ball in the opponent's half and release quickly through the lines rather than sustain possession for its own sake. The double pivot of Neil El Aynaoui and Azzedine Ounahi gives the structure its backbone — El Aynaoui screening and recycling defensively, Ounahi carrying and connecting in the half-spaces — while Bilal El Khannouss operates as a genuinely creative ten rather than a withdrawn forward. Hakimi's overlapping runs on the right compress the width of the attack, which can leave the left channel exposed on transitions when Noussair Mazraoui pushes forward. The more consequential question is the striker role: Ismael Saibari brings relentless pressing and movement but is more naturally an advanced midfielder, and whether Ouahbi trusts him as the lone focal point — or rotates — shapes how much vertical threat Morocco can sustain against disciplined defensive blocks.
Team form
Morocco open Group C on June 13 against Brazil (FIFA 6), two places above them in the rankings and the most credible threat to topping the group — a draw there would represent a strong opening statement. The Scotland fixture on June 19 is the pivotal one: ranked 43rd, the Scots are manageable opposition and the game Morocco should target for maximum points. Haiti (ranked 83rd) closes the group phase on June 24, and anything short of three points there would represent a collective failure. Qualification from this group is the realistic floor; the model's predicted finish is the Round of 32, where Morocco are projected to face the Netherlands (FIFA 7) — though actual knockout opponents will depend on how group results shake out across the bracket. Reaching the round of 16 constitutes success; an early exit via a stumble against Scotland or a shock from Haiti is the disappointment scenario.
Country-form leaders
Club-form leaders
Group stage
Group fixtures
