Morocco head coach Mohamed Wahbi has named his 26-man squad for the World Cup.Ten of the 11 players to start this year’s Africa Cup of Nations final have been recalled, with captain Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain) included and only 32-year-old Adam Masina missing out.Four Premier League players have made Wahbi’s squad, with Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui joined by Crystal Palace’s Chadi Riad, Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland) and a surprise call-up for Fulham defender Issa Diop.Diop, 29, was capped up to Under-21 level with France before switching allegiance to Morocco this March and making his first two appearances. He has played 13 times in the league for Marco Silva’s Fulham side this term, starting only eight times.Brahim Diaz has been included in the squad despite Real Madrid’s trophyless season, which saw no Madrid players reach the Spain squad for the first time ever.
Morocco reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, becoming the first African team to ever do so. They were crowned AFCON champions this year after losing 1-0 to Senegal on the day but having the decision reversed 57 days later.Then-head coach Walid Regragui stepped down in March, being replaced by Wahbi with less than four months to go until the start of this summer’s tournament.Morocco will start their World Cup on June 13 against Brazil, later playing Scotland and Haiti in Group C.Morocco’s 26-man squad in fullGoalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal), Munir El Kajoui (RS Berkane), Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (Asfar).Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United), Anass Salah-Eddine (PSV), Youssef Belammari (Al Ahly), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Zakaria El Ouahdi (KRC Genk), Chadi Riad (Crystal Palace), Nayef Aguerd (Marseille), Redouane Halhal (KV Mechelen), Issa Diop (Fulham).Midfielders: Samir El Mourabet (Strasbourg), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille), Neil El Aynaoui (AS Roma), Sofyan Amrabat (Real Betis), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona), Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart), Ismael Saibari (PSV).Forwards: Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis), Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland), Soufiane Rahimi (Alain), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos), Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid), Yassine Gessime (Strasbourg), Ayoube Amaimouni (Eintracht Frankfurt).
