Coach Walid Regragui relies on a balance of experience and youth in the "Atlas Lions" lineup.

On Thursday, national coach Mohamed Wahbi announced the list of the "Atlas Lions" who will participate in Morocco's matches against Gabon and Lesotho in the first two rounds of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, as well as a friendly match against the Ghanaian national team.
The squad includes 29 players, led by goalkeepers Yassine Bounou, Munir Mohand, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, and Alaa Bellarouch.
In defense, Wahbi called up Noussair Mazraoui, Anas Salah Eddine, Marouane Saadane, Nayef Aguerd, Ridouane Halhal, Issa Diop, Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Achraf Hakimi, Zakaria Ouhadi, and Ali Maamer.
In midfield, the selection includes Ayyoub Bouaddi, Samir Merabet, Wael Al-Ainawi, Osama Tergalain, Bilal Khannous, Sofiane Faouzi, Azzedine Ounahi, and Ismail Sabari.
In the attacking line, the national coach chose Abde Ezzalzouli, Abdullah Wazan, Ibrahim Diaz, Yassine Jassim, Yasser Zabiri, Sofiane Rahimi, and Tawfiq Ben Tayeb.
Youssef Al-Shami, the national coach, noted that "the summoned list did not see significant changes, except for the inclusion of goalkeeper Bellarouch due to his performance with his club, as well as the call-up of Faouzi in midfield, along with the return of Zabiri."
Al-Shami explained to Hespress that the current squad includes key players with extensive experience and participation in continental and international tournaments with the national team; however, the introduction of new names reflects a plan for early preparation and building a new phase.
The coach pointed out that these call-ups coincided with the start of the new football season, which necessitates evaluating the players' readiness and competitiveness, emphasizing that the team composition is characterized by harmony and understanding, while awaiting the assessment of the players' physical and technical performance on the field.
He added that the national team will face strong teams, stressing the importance of player safety and avoiding injuries, especially since the conditions of away matches are difficult and require utilizing players' experience to handle those circumstances.
Al-Shami concluded by confirming that the return of striker Zabiri was a result of his outstanding performances in La Liga and securing a starting position there, noting that he possesses the qualities of a complete striker in terms of heading and positioning; these are the characteristics required in the national coach's tactical strategy.
Abdel Rahim Ouchrif, the national coach, stated that "the upcoming friendly matches against the Gabonese and Lesotho national teams represent a real test and a pivotal moment for coach Mohamed Wahbi after the World Cup competitions," as this training camp is part of the preparation plan for the major continental competition in the Africa Cup of Nations, and the coaching staff will aim to build a balanced squad capable of seriously competing for the upcoming African title.
The coach's choices, according to Ouchrif, were primarily based on achieving a balanced mix between experienced players who participated in the previous World Cup and young players who have shown remarkable levels and won the U-20 World Cup. The summoned names have proven their competence and ability to provide the necessary contribution, as these promising players form important future pillars for the national team across all positions from goalkeeping to attack.
The call-up list, according to the spokesperson, saw the absence of some players, either due to unavailability, declining performance, or injury. Conversely, other players were called up to meet expectations to compensate for these absences. Among these players is the return of Zabiri, along with the inclusion of Faouzi; these choices enhance the coaching staff's options and provide additional alternatives in all positions.
Regarding the controversial issue of player Sofiane Amrabat, it seems, according to Ouchrif, that his non-inclusion was a prior technical decision by the coach who did not consider him among his options for this camp; this was confirmed during the press conference. Although Amrabat's media statement expressed dissatisfaction and contained some cleverness to cover his absence, it was not the best choice for his reputation, while fans continue to appreciate what he has done for the national team.
In conclusion, Ouchrif affirmed that these selections are very suitable for the current preparation phase, with the main goal being to create harmony and integration between the previous generation and the promising generation to build a strong team that competes with the aim of winning the title.





