Morocco World Cup 2022 squad, predicted line-up versus France and star players

Morocco have surprised everyone by reaching World Cup semifinals, but who is in the squad as they prepare to face France?

Morocco are making their sixth appearance at the World Cup in Qatar.

They qualified for the first time in 1970 and enjoyed their best-ever performance on their second appearance in 1986, when they made it to the round of 16.

This time they have bettered their performance by becoming the first African nation to reach the World Cup semifinals and are now gunning to take a step further. They finished as leaders in Group F, which also contained European heavyweights Belgium and Croatia.

They then beat Spain and Portugal respectively in their first two knockout games. Next, they are set to face reigning world champions France on Wednesday to battle for a final spot.

ALSO READ: World Cup 2022 Group F: Fixtures, results, standings, squads & full details

Getty ImagesGOALKEEPERS

Yassine Bounou is the undisputed number one for Morocco. He missed the clash against Belgium but was fit again to play in other matches.

The 33-year-old Munir Mohamedi is another experienced candidate and slotted in against the Red Devils as Bounou had fitness issues.

Ahmed Rega Tagnaouti serves as the second backup in Qatar.

Name

Club

Yassine Bounou

Sevilla

Munir Mohamedi

Al Wehda

Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti

Wydad AC

AdvertisementGetty ImagesDEFENDERS

Regragui has stuck to a traditional back-four while setting up his backline.

With Achraf Hakimi and Yahia Attiyat Allah in the ranks, there is little to worry about the full-back positions. Meanwhile, Romain Saiss and Jawad El Yamiq are the two most used centre-backs.

Achraf Dari and Valladolid's Jawad El Yamiq are the other options at the heart of defence.

Player

Club

Achraf Hakimi

PSG

Noussair Mazraoui

Bayern Munich

Jawad El Yamiq

Valladolid

Romain Saiss

Besiktas

Achraf Dari

Stade Brest

Yahia Attiyat Allal

Wydad AC

Badr Benoun

Qatar SC

Nayef Aguerd

West Ham

Getty ImagesMIDFIELDERS

Regragui has chosen to field a three-man midfield so far in this World Cup.

There's one player whose role remains constant and that is Sofyan Amrabat. The Fiorentina player is known to be a solid defensive midfielder and enjoys the coach's unabated trust.

Azzedine Ounahi, Selim Amallah, Abdelhamid Sabiri and QPR's Ilias Chair are the other trusted lieutenants.

Player

Club

Sofyan Amrabat

Fiorentina

Azzedine Ounahi

Angers

Abdelhamid Sabiri

Sampdoria

Selim Amallah

Standard Liege

Yahya Jabrane

Wydad AC

Bilal El Khannous

Genk

Getty ImagesATTACKERS

Hakim Ziyech, Sofiane Boufal, and Youssef En-Nesyri are the main men in a front three.

Chelsea star Ziyech, who reversed his international retirement to return under new boss Regragui, operates mainly on the right flank whereas Boufal takes his position on the left, with En-Nesyri as the target man.

The trio has been brilliant for Morocco in Qatar and should trouble France's defence as well.

Zakaria Aboukhlal can also provide a threat, but there was no place for former Premier League star Adel Taraabt, who moved to Al-Nasr in the summer. Ex-Barcelona starlet Munir El Haddadi has also been omitted, despite the 27-year-old's status as a regular for Getafe in La Liga.

Amine Harit's injury suffered ahead of the tournament has unfortunately ruled the exciting attacker out of the squad. He has been replaced by Anass Zaroury, who continues to impress at Burnley. The 22-year-old represented Belgium at youth level, but has now pledged his allegiance to Morocco.

Perhaps the most surprise inclusion in the squad is Ittihad forward Abderrazak Hamdallah, nicknamed 'The Executioner' by Morocco fans, who is back with the national team after a lengthy absence.

Player

Club

Hakim Ziyech

Chelsea

Zakaria Aboukhlal

Toulouse

Sofiane Boufal

Angers

Youssef En-Nesyri

Sevilla

Ez Abde

Osasuna

Anass Zaroury

Burnley

Ilias Chair

QPR

Abderrazak Hamdallah

Al-Ittihad

Walid Cheddira

Bari