Morocco’s new-look World Cup team faces Canada test
Morocco meet Canada with a younger squad, a new coach and growing comparisons to the Atlas Lions’ 2022 semifinal run.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Morocco enter Saturday’s World Cup match against Canada unbeaten and carrying a different kind of expectation than the team that reached the semifinals in Qatar. Al Jazeera reports that the Atlas Lions have changed coaches, remade much of the squad and shifted toward a more attacking style while still advancing deep into a second straight tournament.
The comparison with 2022 has followed Morocco through the World Cup in North America. That earlier side became the first African and Arab team to reach a World Cup semifinal, beating Portugal in a quarterfinal remembered for Youssef En-Nesyri’s winning header, Hakim Ziyech’s dribbling and Soufiane Boufal celebrating on the pitch with his mother.
None of those three players are in the 2026 squad, according to Al Jazeera. The remaining links to the Qatar team include Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El-Khanouss and the goalkeepers.
A younger squad under Ouhabi
Morocco also changed managers. Walid Regragui, who led the 2022 run after taking over shortly before that tournament, has been replaced by Mohammed Ouhabi, who arrived after success with Morocco’s youth team, including the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 2025, Al Jazeera reported.
Mohammad Alrfae, an analyst for Jordanian Premier League club Al Ahli SC, told Al Jazeera that Regragui’s 2022 team was more defensive and built around older players at major European clubs. He said Ouhabi has selected more young players because he knows them and because they suit his tactical plan.
Al Jazeera described the current side as more fluid, with mobile players rotating positions rather than sitting in the kind of controlled defensive structure Morocco used four years ago. The average age of the starting lineup has been just under 26, with no outfield starter older than 30 and half aged 25 or younger, according to the outlet.
The approach brought an early statement: a 1-1 draw with Brazil in Morocco’s opening game. Al Jazeera also reported that Morocco advanced after a tense penalty shootout against the Netherlands, a match in which the Dutch changed shape and used five defenders to limit Morocco’s movement.
Questions after 2022 and AFCON
The 2022 team relied on compact defending, pressure from En-Nesyri and counterattacks led through wide areas, according to Al Jazeera’s analysis. Morocco did not seek to dominate possession in Qatar, and their highest possession share came in their semifinal loss to France.
Regragui later came under pressure despite that World Cup achievement. Al Jazeera cited exits and controversy around Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, including a contentious 2025 final involving Senegal and claims during the tournament that officiating favored Morocco.
North African football journalist Maher Mezahi told Al Jazeera that Morocco’s change in direction appears tied to the 2030 World Cup, which the country will co-host. He said the Netherlands result supported the decision to replace Regragui with Ouhabi and showed the 2022 run was not a one-off.
Morocco’s public image has also shifted. Al Jazeera reported that neutral support across Africa and the Arab world fell after the AFCON controversy, but the draw with Brazil and the team’s continued progress have helped bring some supporters back.
The Atlas Lions are now favored against Canada, according to Al Jazeera. If Morocco win, they could face France, the team that ended their 2022 campaign, in the quarterfinals.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.