The Atlas Lions are preparing to return to international action, and Mohamed Ouahbi has unveiled his latest Morocco squad ahead of a busy October international window.
The national team coach announced his 29-man selection on Thursday, September 17, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maâmora, bringing together a group that combines established internationals with several players who have impressed at club level since the beginning of the season.
Following Morocco's quarter-final run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Atlas Lions now turn their attention to the opening stages of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
New Faces Earn Their Opportunity
One of the main features of Ouahbi's latest selection is the inclusion of several players who have made strong starts to the new season.
Among the newcomers is Yassir Zabiri, who has enjoyed a remarkable beginning to his campaign with Racing Santander, scoring six goals in six matches.
He is joined by Abdellah Ouazane, the young attacking midfielder of Ajax Amsterdam, as well as Soufiane El-Faouzi, who has been making his mark with Schalke 04.
Another new addition is Tawfik Bentayeb, who recently opened his scoring account with Anderlecht.
Their inclusion reflects Ouahbi's willingness to reward players who have translated their club form into convincing performances at the start of the season.
Morocco's Established Core Remains
While several new names have entered the squad, Ouahbi has maintained a strong core of experienced internationals.
Yassine Bounou, Noussair Mazraoui, Nayef Aguerd, Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz, Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss and Soufiane Rahimi are among the familiar figures included in the 29-man group.
Hakimi and Ismael Saibari are both present despite their respective suspensions.
Hakimi is suspended for two matches, while Saibari will serve a one-match suspension stemming from the 2025 AFCON final.
Their inclusion nevertheless keeps both players firmly within Ouahbi's plans as Morocco begins another international cycle.
A New Generation Continues to Rise
The squad also highlights the depth emerging within Moroccan football.
Young talents such as Ayyoub Bouaddi, Abdellah Ouazane, Yassir Zabiri, Ali Maamar and Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal are part of a group increasingly blending youth with established international experience.
Players developing across some of Europe's most competitive leagues are now finding themselves closer to the senior national team, giving Morocco an increasingly broad pool of options.
For Ouahbi, the latest squad provides another opportunity to assess that depth while continuing to build around the players who have established themselves at international level.
The Road to AFCON 2027 Begins
Morocco's first competitive assignment will come against Gabon on Friday, September 25, with the match scheduled to take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Four days later, on Tuesday, September 29, the Atlas Lions will travel to Bloemfontein, South Africa, where they will face Lesotho.
The two matches will mark the beginning of Morocco's campaign in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Ghana Await in Tangier
The international window will then conclude with a different kind of challenge.
Morocco will face Ghana in a friendly on October 4 in Tangier, giving Ouahbi another opportunity to rotate his squad and assess players ahead of the challenges that lie further ahead.
The friendly could also provide valuable minutes for some of the newer faces in the squad as they continue adapting to the demands of senior international football.
Morocco's 29-Man Squad
Goalkeepers
- Yassine Bounou
- Munir El Kajoui
- Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti
- Alaa Bellaarouch
Defenders
- Noussair Mazraoui
- Anass Salah-Eddine
- Marwane Saadane
- Nayef Aguerd
- Redouane Halhal
- Issa Diop
- Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal
- Achraf Hakimi
- Zakaria El Ouahdi
- Ali Maamar
Midfielders
- Samir El Mourabet
- Ayyoub Bouaddi
- Neil El Aynaoui
- Oussama Targhalline
- Bilal El Khannouss
- Soufiane El-Faouzi
- Azzedine Ounahi
- Ismael Saibari
Forwards
- Brahim Diaz
- Yassine Gessime
- Abdessamad Ezzalzouli
- Abdellah Ouazane
- Soufiane Rahimi
- Tawfik Bentayeb
- Yassir Zabiri
A Fresh Chapter for the Atlas Lions
The latest squad reflects a Morocco side continuing to evolve after an important World Cup campaign.
With 29 players selected, several emerging talents receiving their opportunity and a strong core of experienced internationals remaining in place, Ouahbi now has three matches in which to assess his group.
The competitive journey begins against Gabon and Lesotho, while the Ghana friendly will provide another chance to test the depth of the squad.
For the Atlas Lions, the next chapter is ready to begin, with AFCON 2027 qualification as the first objective of a new international cycle.