Could Morocco become a football powerhouse?
France squad
- Full squad
-
1 Brice SAMBA
Goalkeeper -
2 Malo GUSTO
Defender -
3 Lucas Digne
Defender -
4 Dayot UPAMECANO
Defender -
5 Jules KOUNDE
Defender -
6 Manu KONE
Midfielder -
7 Ousmane DEMBELE
Forward -
8 Aurelien TCHOUAMENI
Midfielder -
9 Marcus THURAM
Forward -
10 Kylian MBAPPE
Forward -
11 Michael OLISE
Forward -
12 Bradley BARCOLA
Forward -
13 Ngolo KANTE
Midfielder -
14 Adrien RABIOT
Midfielder -
15 Ibrahima KONATE
Defender -
16 Mike MAIGNAN
Goalkeeper -
17 William SALIBA
Defender -
18 Warren ZAIRE-EMERY
Midfielder -
19 Theo HERNANDEZ
Defender -
20 Desire DOUE
Forward -
21 Lucas HERNANDEZ
Defender -
22 Jean-Philippe MATETA
Forward -
23 Robin RISSER
Goalkeeper -
24 Rayan CHERKI
Midfielder -
25 Maghnes AKLIOUCHE
Midfielder -
26 Maxence Lacroix
Defender
Morocco squad
- Full squad
-
1 Yassine BOUNOU
Goalkeeper -
2 Achraf HAKIMI
Defender -
3 Noussair MAZRAOUI
Defender -
4 Sofyan AMRABAT
Midfielder -
5 Marwane SAADANE
Defender -
6 Ayyoub BOUADDI
Midfielder -
7 Chemsdine TALBI
Midfielder -
8 Azzedine OUNAHI
Midfielder -
9 Soufiane RAHIMI
Forward -
10 Brahim DIAZ
Forward -
11 Ismael SAIBARI
Midfielder -
12 Munir EL KAJOUI
Goalkeeper -
13 Zakaria EL OUAHDI
Defender -
14 Issa Diop
Defender -
15 Samir EL MOURABET
Midfielder -
16 Gessime YASSINE
Midfielder -
17 Amine SBAI
Forward -
18 Chadi RIAD
Defender -
19 Youssef BELAMMARI
Defender -
20 Ayoub El Kaabi
Forward -
21 Ayoube AMAIMOUNI
Forward -
22 Ahmed Reda TAGNAOUTI
Goalkeeper -
23 Bilal EL KHANNOUSS
Midfielder -
24 Neil EL AYNAOUI
Midfielder -
25 Redouane HALHAL
Defender -
26 Anass SALAH EDDINE
Defender
Morocco has emerged as a rising force in international football, reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 2022 and earning a co-hosting role for 2030. The country's ascent reflects a deliberate national strategy, with the royal family channelling substantial resources into modern training facilities, youth academies, and regional development centres. This systematic investment demonstrates a commitment to building domestic football infrastructure and capitalising on the sport's popularity.
A key part of Morocco's strategy involves tapping into its global diaspora, with more than five million nationals living abroad. The country deploys scouts across Western Europe to identify promising players with Moroccan heritage, successfully recruiting 19 of its current 26-player World Cup squad from outside Morocco's borders. This approach has created a competitive roster that includes players eligible for other nations, blending domestic talent with internationally experienced athletes to strengthen the national team's performance on the world stage.
- Morocco, ranked sixth globally, reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2022 and is now co-hosting the 2030 tournament, prompting discussion of its emergence as a football power.
- The nation has invested heavily in training facilities, academies, and youth development backed by the royal family, whilst also recruiting players from a diaspora of over five million Moroccans abroad.
- Critics questioned whether football funding should prioritise healthcare and education instead; the government responded by pledging a 16% increase to health and education in the 2026 budget.