9 Morocco players return from 2022 World Cup run

By VirentaNews Staff — May 27, 2026

Morocco has named nine players who featured in its historic 2022 Qatar World Cup campaign to its 26-man squad for the 2026 tournament, with national team captain Achraf Hakimi at the helm. This core of returning veterans underscores the North African nation’s strategy of continuity following its unprecedented run to the semifinals—the first African or Arab team ever to do so. The squad, largely composed of players born and developed in Europe, reflects Morocco’s deep reliance on its diaspora to build a world-class football team. With qualifying secured and cohesion a key advantage, Morocco’s blend of experience and cross-continental roots positions it as a serious contender on football’s global stage, challenging traditional power structures in international soccer.

Continuity and Cohesion in the 2026 Squad

Morocco’s selection for the 2026 FIFA World Cup emphasizes stability, with nine players from the landmark Qatar 2022 campaign returning to the squad. Achraf Hakimi, the dynamic Paris Saint-Germain right-back and team captain, leads the group, bringing leadership and elite-level experience from Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League. Other returning key figures include center-back Nayef Aguerd, midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, and forward Hakim Ziyech—players who played pivotal roles in Morocco’s defensive resilience and counterattacking prowess during their 2022 breakthrough. The decision to retain this nucleus reflects a deliberate strategy by head coach Walid Regragui to preserve the tactical discipline and team chemistry that stunned football powerhouses like Spain, Portugal, and Belgium. With a balanced mix of youth and experience, Morocco enters the tournament not as an underdog, but as a nation with proven ability to compete at the highest level.

Roots in the Diaspora: How Morocco Builds Its Team

Morocco’s football strength is inextricably linked to its vast diaspora in Europe, where the majority of the current national team was born or developed. Of the 26 players selected for 2026, more than two-thirds were born outside Morocco—primarily in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain. This trend is not new; it reflects decades of migration from North Africa to Western Europe and the development of dual-national footballers who choose to represent their ancestral homeland. Morocco has institutionalized this advantage, with a robust scouting network identifying talent in European academies and actively engaging players eligible through heritage. As explored in a 2022 report by BBC Sport, this model has allowed Morocco to punch above its weight in international football despite limited domestic infrastructure. The strategy mirrors broader trends across Africa, where nations like Algeria, Tunisia, and Senegal also draw on European-raised talent to bolster competitiveness.

The Players Shaping Morocco’s Football Identity

Achraf Hakimi, born in Madrid to Moroccan parents, embodies the transnational identity that defines the team. Rising through Real Madrid’s youth academy before starring at Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, and now PSG, Hakimi brings global experience and market visibility. Similarly, Sofyan Amrabat, born in the Netherlands, became a midfield anchor during the Qatar 2022 tournament, earning praise for his relentless work rate and tactical intelligence. These players are not only athletic assets but symbols of national pride for Moroccans at home and abroad. Their decisions to represent Morocco—over countries of birth—are often influenced by cultural ties, family pressure, and the appeal of being central figures in a national project. Coaches and federation officials actively cultivate these relationships, ensuring that diaspora players feel emotionally and strategically integrated into the squad. This sense of belonging has been critical in transforming individual talent into collective success.

Implications for Moroccan Football and Beyond

The inclusion of nine returning players from the 2022 squad brings both advantages and challenges. On one hand, continuity fosters unity, reduces adjustment periods, and allows for deeper tactical refinement. Morocco’s organized defense and disciplined transition play, which stifled some of the world’s best attacks in Qatar, can now be honed further. However, the reliance on aging veterans—several of whom are approaching or over 30—raises questions about long-term sustainability. There is also growing debate within Morocco about the need to invest more in domestic youth development to reduce dependency on European-born talent. While the diaspora model has delivered short-term success, long-term football sovereignty may require stronger investment in local academies, infrastructure, and coaching. The federation now faces the dual task of competing globally while building a self-sustaining football ecosystem at home.

The Bigger Picture

Morocco’s rise is reshaping perceptions of African and Arab football on the world stage. Its 2022 semifinal run was not a fluke but the result of sustained planning, diaspora engagement, and tactical innovation. As host of the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco has an opportunity to further cement its status as a football leader on the continent. Moreover, its success challenges the traditional dominance of European and South American nations in international football, offering a blueprint for other countries with large expatriate populations. The story of Morocco’s team is not just about sport—it’s about identity, belonging, and the global circulation of talent in the 21st century.

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, all eyes will be on how Morocco leverages its experienced core against evolving global competition. With Hakimi and his teammates leading the charge, the nation aims not just to repeat history, but to surpass it. The next chapter will reveal whether continuity can evolve into lasting dominance—and whether Morocco can inspire a new era of football development across Africa and the Arab world.

Source: Al Jazeera