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The '''Morocco national football team''',{{efn|In {{lang-ar|منتخب المغرب لكرة القدم}}. In [[Tamazight, Central Atlas|Tamaziǧt]]: Tarabbut anamur n Maghrib.}} nicknamed '''Les Lions de l'Atlas''' or '''Atlas Lions'''<ref>{{Cite news|last=biladi|first=ya|date=2019|url=https://en.yabiladi.com/articles/details/75314/according-herve-renard-atlas-lions.html|title=According to Hervé Renard, the Atlas Lions "can be competitive against" Argentina}}</ref> ({{lang-ar|أسود الأطلس}} / Irzem n Atlasi),
The '''Morocco national football team''',{{efn|In {{lang-ar|منتخب المغرب لكرة القدم}}. In [[Tamazight, Central Atlas|Tamaziǧt]]: Tarabbut anamur n Maghrib.}} nicknamed '''Les Lions de l'Atlas''' or '''Atlas Lions'''<ref>{{Cite news|last=biladi|first=ya|date=2019|url=https://en.yabiladi.com/articles/details/75314/according-herve-renard-atlas-lions.html|title=According to Hervé Renard, the Atlas Lions "can be competitive against" Argentina}}</ref> ({{lang-ar|أسود الأطلس}} / Irzem n Atlasi),
([[French language|French]]:Équipe du Maroc de football) represents [[Kingdom of Morocco]] in [[FIFA]] men's [[FIFA|international]] [[Association football|football]] and it is controlled by the [[Royal Moroccan Football Federation]], also known as FRMF, or in {{lang-fr|Fédération Royale Marocaine de football}}. the governing body for [[football in Morocco]], The team represents both [[FIFA]] and [[Confederation of African Football]] (CAF).
([[French language|French]]: Équipe du Maroc de football) represents the [[Kingdom of Morocco]] in [[FIFA]] men's [[FIFA|international]] [[Association football|football]] and it is controlled by the [[Royal Moroccan Football Federation]], also known as FRMF, or in {{lang-fr|Fédération Royale Marocaine de football}}. the governing body for [[football in Morocco]], The team represents both [[FIFA]] and [[Confederation of African Football]] (CAF).


Winners of the [[1976 African Nations Cup|African Nations Cup in 1976]], they were the first African team to win a group at the [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]], which they did in [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]], finishing ahead of [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]], [[Poland national football team|Poland]], and [[England national football team|England]]. They were also the first African team to make it to the second round, barely losing to eventual runners-up [[Germany national football team|West Germany]] 1–0 in 1986. They also came within two minutes of moving out of the group stage of the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]], [[Kjetil Rekdal]]'s late winning goal for [[Norway national football team|Norway]] against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] eliminating them.
Winners of the [[1976 African Nations Cup|African Nations Cup in 1976]], they were the first African team to win a group at the [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]], which they did in [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]], finishing ahead of [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]], [[Poland national football team|Poland]], and [[England national football team|England]]. They were also the first African team to make it to the second round, barely losing to eventual runners-up [[Germany national football team|West Germany]] 1–0 in 1986. They also came within two minutes of moving out of the group stage of the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]], [[Kjetil Rekdal]]'s late winning goal for [[Norway national football team|Norway]] against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] eliminating them.

Revision as of 18:31, 21 June 2020

Morocco
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Les Lions de l'Atlas (Atlas Lions)
AssociationFédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationUNAF (North Africa)
Head coachVahid Halilhodžić
CaptainHakim Ziyech
Most capsNoureddine Naybet (115)[1]
Top scorerAhmed Faras (29)[1]
Home stadiumVarious
FIFA codeMAR
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 14 Decrease 2 (18 July 2024)[2]
Highest10 (April 1998)
Lowest95 (September 2010)
First international
 Morocco 3–3 Iraq 
(Beirut, Lebanon; 19 October 1957)
Biggest win
 Morocco 13–1 Saudi Arabia 
(Casablanca, Morocco; 6 September 1961)
Biggest defeat
 Hungary 6–0 Morocco 
(Tokyo, Japan; 11 October 1964)
World Cup
Appearances5 (first in 1970)
Best resultRound of 16 (1986)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances17 (first in 1972)
Best resultChampions (1976)
African Nations Championship
Appearances3 (first in 2014)
Best resultChampions (2018)

The Morocco national football team,[a] nicknamed Les Lions de l'Atlas or Atlas Lions[4] (Arabic: أسود الأطلس / Irzem n Atlasi), (French: Équipe du Maroc de football) represents the Kingdom of Morocco in FIFA men's international football and it is controlled by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, also known as FRMF, or in French: Fédération Royale Marocaine de football. the governing body for football in Morocco, The team represents both FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and England. They were also the first African team to make it to the second round, barely losing to eventual runners-up West Germany 1–0 in 1986. They also came within two minutes of moving out of the group stage of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Kjetil Rekdal's late winning goal for Norway against Brazil eliminating them.

History

Pre-independence period

The selection of Morocco was created in 1928 and played its first game on 22 December of that year against the B team of France, from which it was defeated by 2–1. This team, formed by the best footballers of the LMFA or the Moroccan Football League (settlers or natives), was active in friendly matches against other North African selections such as those of the Football League of Algeria, the Football League of Oran, the Football League of Costantinia and the Tunisia Football League. These associations of settler clubs and local footballers, in addition to having their own championship, clashed with each other in a tournament that Morocco won several times, as in 1948–1949.

The LMFA also faced some club teams such as NK Lokomotiva Zagreb in January 1950, as well as France A and France B. Against France A the LMFA made a 1–1 draw in Casablanca in 1941.

On 9 September 1954, an earthquake struck the Algerian region of Orléansville (now Chlef) and caused the destruction of the city and the death of over 1,400 people. On 7 October 1954, the French Football Association and the Maghreb inhabitants organized a charity match to raise funds for the families of the victims of the catastrophic event. In the match a selection of Moroccans, Algerians and Tunisians challenged the national team of France at the Paris Princes Park. Led by star Larbi Benbarek, the Maghreb selection managed to win by 3–2, a month before the Toissant rouge attacks made in November 1954 by the Algerian National Liberation Front which marked the beginning of the Algerian war.

The beginnings of Morocco (1955–1963)

In 1955, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation was established, at the end of the French protectorate of Morocco, which had lasted since 1912.

On 19 October 1957, at the 2nd edition of the Pan Arab Games in Lebanon, Morocco made its debut as the national of an independent country against Iraq, at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, and drew 3–3. In the tournament the Moroccan team obtained the first victory of its history against Libya, with the result of 5–1, to then beat Tunisia 3–1 and gain access to the semifinal. Morocco finished in first place the group 1 of the competition, in which the path of the North African formation ended just in the semifinals, against Syria, on 26 October 1957, despite the 1–1 draw, it was the Syrians who passed the round and qualified for the final.

From 1957 to 1958, Morocco held numerous friendly meetings against the National Liberation Front team, the representative of Algeria before its independence in 1958. In 1959, they took part for the first time in an international competition, the preliminary rounds of the Rome Olympics 1960. He finished second in a group of three teams, behind Tunisia, but only for an unfavorable goal difference. In the same year the football federation of Morocco joined the FIFA.

In 1960, Morocco made their debut in the 1962 FIFA World Cup qualification, to be held in Chile. Inserted in group 2 of the African qualifications, it saw itself again against Tunisia. After two games ended with a win per side (2–1 for the Moroccans and 2–1 for the Tunisians), on 22 January 1961 a play-off match was played in Palermo, which ended in a tie (1–1). Morocco proceeded with the winning of a coin toss. Having defeated Ghana in the CAF Final Round, the Moroccan players gained access to the last qualifying round, against Spain, which eliminated Morocco with two victories (1–0 and 3–2).

In 1961, Morocco faced for the first time two European national teams, Yugoslavia and East Germany, and played the Pan-Arab Games in Casablanca, participating in the group of six teams and winning it. On 6 September 1961, Morocco won the largest victory in his history against Saudi Arabia (13–1). They also had two wins against a European team, an unprecedented event, beating East Germany 2–1 and 2–0.

In 1963, the Moroccan team came close to qualifying for the African Cup. In the decisive play-off against Tunisia, they were defeated 4–1 in Tunis and won 4–2 at home, they were therefore eliminated. At the Mediterranean Games in Naples 1963, they finished fourth after a 2–1 defeat in the final for third place against Spain's reserve team.

First appearances in international competitions (1963–1976)

Morocco participated for the first time in the final phase of an international competition at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Having obtained the qualification under the leadership of the selector Mohamed Massoun [fr], the Moroccans were included in a group of three teams due to the renunciation of North Korea and they recorded two consecutive defeats, against Hungary (6–0, the worst defeat ever of Morocco) and Yugoslavia (3–1, despite the initial advantage, scored in the second minute of play by Ali Bouachra).

In 1966, the Moroccan Football Association joined the Confederation of African Football and was able to participate in the competitions organized by the CAF.

At the Mediterranean Games in Tunis 1967, the Moroccans were eliminated in the first round, finishing fourth in the group with Italy, France and Algeria.

Qualifying for the 1968 Olympics, Morocco refused to play against Israel, and eventually were replaced by Ghana.

In the two-year period 1968–1969, the team was engaged in qualifying for the Mexican World Championship in 1970. Their debut was positive, they eliminated Senegal (1–0) and Tunisia after a draw, which at the time was necessary after three draws (of which last in Marseille, by 2–2). In the final round of the preliminaries, against Sudan and Nigeria, Morocco obtained five points, finishing ahead of Nigeria and qualifying for the first time for the final round of a world championship. Shortly after, Morocco lost the decisive play-off against Algeria to enter the final stage of the 1970 Africa Cup of Nations.

Morocco thus became the first African national team to qualify for a world championship after having played in an elimination tournament (at 1934 FIFA World Cup in Italy, Egypt was the first African national team to take part in the World Cup, but without having played the qualifications before). The Moroccan team, coached by the Yugoslav Blagoje Vidinić, consisted exclusively of players in the Moroccan league, including Driss Bamous and Ahmed Faras.

On 3 June 1970, against West Germany in front of 12,942 spectators, Morocco surprisingly opened the scoring with a goal in the twenty-first game of Houmane Jarir. In the second half, however, the West Germans scored with Uwe Seeler and Gerd Müller and won by 2–1. The Lions of the Atlas then played against Peru in front of 13,537 spectators. This time the Moroccans conceded three goals in ten minutes to lose 3–0. On 11 June 1970, the eliminated Moroccans drew with Bulgaria 1–1, with a comeback goal in the sixtieth game of Maouhoub Ghazouani. It was the first point obtained by an African national team at the World Cup.

In the 1972 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, the Lions of the Atlas ousted Algeria, then they faced Egypt, beating them 3–0 in the first leg and suffering a 3–2 defeat on the way back, yet they qualified for the first time for the final phase of the continental tournament. In the group stage, they had three 1–1 draws against Congo, Sudan and Zaire and were eliminated in the first round. All three Moroccan goals brought the signature of Ahmed Faras.

Qualifying for the 1972 Olympics with two wins and two draws, Morocco debuted in Group A with a white-neat draw 0–0 with the United States, then lost 3–0 against West Germany and defeated Malaysia 6–0 with an Ahmed Faras hat-trick, qualifying for the second round. Due to defeats against USSR (3–0), Denmark (3–1) and Poland (5–0), they were then eliminated.

In the 1974 world championship qualifiers, Morocco passed three CAF qualifying rounds, entering the final round with Zambia and Zaire. Badly beaten 4–0 at home by Zaire, who then won two consecutive matches against Zambia, the Moroccans went to Zaire for the return match and lost there 3–0, conceding three goals in the second half, after Faras leaving the field due to injury. Morocco filed an appeal, trying to get the match to play again, and did not appear at the final challenge against Zambia. Protesting against FIFA in protest, he also decided not to take part in the 1974 Africa Cup of Nations.

In 1974, Morocco played only two games, both against Algeria, achieving a 2–0 win and a 0–0 draw. After 1974, Morocco resumed its regular FIFA and CAF competitions. They managed to get the qualification for the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations by eliminating Ghana at the last round, but failed to qualify for the 1976 Olympics, as eliminated by Nigeria.

Between successes and defeats (1976–1986)

Morocco, coached by the Romanian Virgil Mărdărescu and captained by Ahmed Faras, took the continental throne, finishing in first place the final round of the 1976 African Cup of Nations, in his second participation in the final phase of the competition.

The final phase, in Ethiopia, foresaw a novelty, the first two classified of each of the two groups of four teams would have met in a final round from four teams, contending the title of Champion of Africa. The elimination rounds were cancelled, and replaced by a mini-championship. On 29 February 1976, the tournament started with the first matches of group A, but Morocco, entered in group B, started on 1 March 1976. Inserted in a group with Sudan, Zaire and Nigeria, Mărdărescu's team equalized 2–2 with Sudan (Mustapha Fetoui [fr]'s Moroccan goals on the 5th and Ahmed Abouali on the 58th minute), then, thanks to Abdel Ali Zahraoui's goal on the eightieth minute of play, they beat Zaire. In the last game they won a comeback 3–1 against Nigeria (Nigerian goal on the 5th with a penalty and Moroccan trio with Ahmed Faras on the 8th, Abdallah Tazi on 19th and Larbi Chebbak on the 81st), obtaining so the first place in the group and qualifying for the final round (a group stage of four teams) together with the Nigerians, second in the standings in the group B. The final round put Morocco against Egypt. The Moroccans, had an advantage with a goal by Faras, suffered a draw, but took the lead two minutes before the end of the match again with Zahraoui and won 2–1. The next match against the Nigerians ended with a success, thanks to two goals from Ahmed Faras and Redouane Guezzar [fr] scored in the last eight minutes of play to overturn the provisional opponent advantage (2–1). The final match, against Guinea, would have decided the African Champion team. On 14 March 1976, in Addis Ababa, the Guineans, aimed to victory, took the lead in the first half, but four minutes to the end of the match Ahmed Makrouh [fr] scored the goal of the final draw (1–1), which gave to Morocco the first cup of its history.

Morocco then failed to qualify for the 1974 FIFA World Cup, the 1978 FIFA World Cup and the 1982 FIFA World Cup. At the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations, they were eliminated in the first round, while at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations they won the third place, beating in the consolation final Egypt 2–0. They then won the 1983 Mediterranean Games, played at home, thanks to a 3–0 success in the final against Turkey B.

Morocco did not qualify for either the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations or that of 1984 Africa Cup of Nations. At the 1986 Africa Cup of Nations, they finished fourth, beaten 3–2 in the consolation final by the Ivory Coast (Moroccan goals by Abdelfettah Rhiati and Mohammed Sahil).

Golden Generation (1986–2000)

File:WC86 MOR-GER.jpg
Stamp of Italian post: in the picture, Rummenigge and Timoumi

The subsequent participation in the 1986 FIFA World Cup which took place in Mexico. Morocco, coached by the Brazilian José Faria, had a valid team at their disposal, with Aziz Bouderbala, Salahdine Hmied, Merry Krimau and Mohamed Timoumi.

In Mexico, Morocco surprisingly won a group with Portugal, England and Poland, thanks to two draws against the English and Polish teams and a 3–1 win against the Portuguese (Abderrazak Khairi scored twice and goals from Abdelkrim Merry Krimau). However, they were narrowly eliminated by West Germany in the first knockout round, thanks to a goal from Lothar Matthäus one minute from the end of regulation time. Morocco became the first African and Arab national team to have passed the first round of a world championship.

Two years later, the Moroccan team presented itself at the 1988 African Cup of Nations as a host country with high expectations. After winning the first round, they were eliminated in the semifinals by Cameroon and finished in fourth place after losing the consolation final against Algeria (1–1 after extra time and 4–3 after the penalty shots).

Failure to qualify for the 1990 FIFA World Cup opened a period of crisis. In the 1992 African Cup of Nations, the team was eliminated in the first round. They did not participate, then, either in the 1994 Africa Cup or in the 1996 African Cup.

At the end of the millennium, the North African team took part in two consecutive world championships: in the United States in 1994 and in France in 1998. On both occasions they were eliminated in the first round, although in the second case it came close to qualifying.

In 1994, Morocco were knocked out after three defeats against Belgium (1–0), Saudi Arabia (2–1, Moroccan goal of Mohammed Chaouch) and Netherlands (2–1, Moroccan goal of Hassan Nader), while in 1998 they left in a controversial way. Having drawn in the first match with Norway 2–2 (goals from star Mustapha Hadji and Abdeljalil Hadda) and lost 3–0 against Brazil, Morocco coached by the French Henri Michel clearly beat (3–0) the Scotland (goal by Abdeljalil Hadda and two goals by Salaheddine Bassir) in Saint-Étienne, but by the time the qualifying seemed to have been achieved, they were overtaken in the standings by Norway, who was incredibly strong on Brazil (2–1) scoring the decisive goal in the last minutes of the game, thanks to a much discussed penalty.

At the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations, after winning their group, Morocco were defeated and eliminated from South Africa (2–1). They failed to qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Difficult years (2006–2016)

In 2012, the national team won the 2012 Arab Nations Cup, a tournament reserved for Arab national teams with a team made up only of players playing in the Moroccan championship.

Ascent (2016–Present)

The national team won the championship of African nations in 2018, a tournament reserved for African national teams with a team formed only by players playing in the Moroccan championship. Back to participate in the final phase of a World Cup after 20 years, in 2018 FIFA World Cup, Morocco went out in the first round, after two 0–1 defeats against Iran and Portugal. In the last match against Spain they took the lead 2–1 but was unable to keep it, and drew 2–2, ultimately managed to eliminate Iran as well. Morocco entered the 2019 AFCON with high confidence, having played the previous World Cup. However, in spite of three straight group stage wins, Morocco was shockingly knocked out by less known Benin in the round of sixteen.

Results and fixtures

Main article: Morocco national football team results

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2019

23 June 2019 2019 AFCON GS Morocco  1–0  Namibia Cairo, Egypt
16:30 (UTC+2) Keimuine 89' (o.g.) Report Stadium: Al Salam Stadium
Referee: Louis Hakizimana (Rwanda)
28 June 2019 2019 AFCON GS Morocco  1–0  Ivory Coast Cairo, Egypt
19:00 (UTC+2) En-Nesyri 23' Report Stadium: Al Salam Stadium
Referee: Sidi Alioum (Cameroon)
1 July 2019 2019 AFCON GS South Africa  0–1  Morocco Cairo, Egypt
18:00 (UTC+2) Report Boussoufa 90' Stadium: Al Salam Stadium
Referee: Jean-Jacques Ngambo (DR Congo)
5 July 2019 2019 AFCON R16 Morocco  1–1 (a.e.t.)
(1–4 p)		  Benin Cairo, Egypt
18:00 (UTC+2) En-Nesyri 75' Report Adilehou 53' Stadium: Al Salam Stadium
Referee: Helder Martins de Carvalho (Angola)
Penalties
6 September 2019 Friendly Morocco  1–1  Burkina Faso Marrakesh, Morocco
20:00 (UTC+1) Feddal 88' Report Bayala 71' Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
Attendance: 9,000
Referee: Alioune Sow Sandigui (Senegal)
10 September 2019 Friendly Morocco  1–0  Niger Marrakech, Morocco
20:00 (UTC+1) El Karti 21' Report Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
Attendance: 4,200
11 October 2019 Friendly Morocco  1–1  Libya Oujda, Morocco
19:00 (UTC+1) El Yamiq 20' Report Al Warfali 42' Stadium: Honneur Stadium
Attendance: 25,000
15 October 2019 Friendly Morocco  2–3  Gabon Tangier, Morocco
19:00 (UTC+1) N. Amrabat 32', 69' (pen.) Report Boupendza 22'
Bouanga 48'
Chebake 80' (o.g.)		 Stadium: Stade Ibn Batouta
Attendance: 28,000
Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal)
15 November 2019 2021 AFCONQ Morocco  0–0  Mauritania Rabat, Morocco
20:00 (UTC+1) Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
19 November 2019 2021 AFCONQ Burundi  0–3  Morocco Bujumbura, Burundi
16:00 (UTC+2) Mazraoui 27'
En-Nesyri 39'
Hakimi 83'		 Stadium: Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium

2020

27 March 2020 2021 AFCONQ Morocco  v  Central African Republic Morocco
20:00 (UTC+1)
31 March 2020 2021 AFCONQ Central African Republic  v  Morocco Central African Republic
--:-- (UTC+1)
6 June 2020 2021 AFCONQ Mauritania  v  Morocco Mauritania
--:-- (UTC±0)
8 September 2020 2021 AFCONQ Morocco  v  Burundi Morocco
--:-- (UTC+1)

Current team status

2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Main article: 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group E
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Morocco 6 4 2 0 10 1 +9 14 Final tournament — 0–0 1–0 4–1
2  Mauritania 6 2 3 1 5 4 +1 9 0–0 — 1–1 2–0
3  Burundi 6 1 2 3 6 10 −4 5 0–3 3–1 — 2–2
4  Central African Republic 6 1 1 4 5 11 −6 4 0–2 0–1 2–0 —
Source: CAF

2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Main article: 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Second Round

Group I

Template:2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Second Round group tables

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Mauritania and Burundi on 15 and 19 November 2019.
Caps and goals are correct as of 19 November 2019, after the match against Mauritania.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
12 1GK Munir Mohand Mohamedi (1989-05-10) 10 May 1989 (age 35) 38 0 Spain Málaga
1 1GK Yassine Bounou (1991-04-05) 5 April 1991 (age 33) 20 0 Spain Sevilla
1GK Anas Zniti (1988-10-28) 28 October 1988 (age 35) 11 0 Morocco Raja Casablanca
17 2DF Nabil Dirar (1986-02-25) 25 February 1986 (age 38) 48 3 Turkey Fenerbahçe
6 2DF Romain Saïss (captain) (1990-03-26) 26 March 1990 (age 34) 41 1 England Wolverhampton Wanderers
2 2DF Achraf Hakimi (1998-11-04) 4 November 1998 (age 25) 28 2 Germany Borussia Dortmund
4 2DF Zouhair Feddal (1989-01-01) 1 January 1989 (age 35) 20 1 Spain Betis
3 2DF Hamza Mendyl (1997-10-21) 21 October 1997 (age 26) 18 0 France Dijon
5 2DF Badr Banoun (1993-09-30) 30 September 1993 (age 30) 12 1 Morocco Raja Casablanca
14 2DF Noussair Mazraoui (1997-11-14) 14 November 1997 (age 26) 10 1 Netherlands Ajax
21 2DF Yunis Abdelhamid (1987-09-28) 28 September 1987 (age 36) 9 0 France Reims
11 3MF Fayçal Fajr (1988-08-01) 1 August 1988 (age 36) 39 3 Spain Getafe
3MF Omar El Kaddouri (1990-08-21) 21 August 1990 (age 33) 28 5 Greece PAOK
8 3MF Adel Taarabt (1989-05-24) 24 May 1989 (age 35) 23 4 Portugal Benfica
20 3MF Sofyan Amrabat (1996-08-21) 21 August 1996 (age 27) 14 0 Italy Hellas Verona
13 3MF Yahya Jabrane (1991-06-18) 18 June 1991 (age 33) 3 0 Morocco Wydad Casablanca
15 3MF Selim Amallah (1996-11-15) 15 November 1996 (age 27) 2 0 Belgium Standard Liège
16 4FW Nordin Amrabat (1987-03-31) 31 March 1987 (age 37) 64 7 Saudi Arabia Al-Nassr
9 4FW Youssef El-Arabi (1987-02-03) 3 February 1987 (age 37) 42 15 Greece Olympiacos
7 4FW Hakim Ziyech (1993-03-19) 19 March 1993 (age 31) 33 14 England Chelsea
19 4FW Youssef En-Nesyri (1997-06-01) 1 June 1997 (age 27) 32 9 Spain Sevilla
23 4FW Rachid Alioui (1992-06-18) 18 June 1992 (age 32) 18 2 France Angers
10 4FW Sofiane Boufal (1993-09-17) 17 September 1993 (age 30) 17 0 England Southampton
18 4FW Oussama Idrissi (1996-02-26) 26 February 1996 (age 28) 7 0 Netherlands AZ

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team in the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (1996-04-05) 5 April 1996 (age 28) 3 0 Morocco Wydad Casablanca v.  Gabon, 15 October 2019
DF Jawad El Yamiq (1992-02-29) 29 February 1992 (age 32) 16 2 Spain Zaragoza v.  Gabon, 15 October 2019
DF Nayef Aguerd (1996-03-30) 30 March 1996 (age 28) 5 0 France Dijon v.  Gabon, 15 October 2019
DF Issam Chebake (1989-10-12) 12 October 1989 (age 34) 4 0 Turkey Yeni Malatyaspor v.  Gabon, 15 October 2019
DF Fouad Chafik INJ (1986-10-16) 16 October 1986 (age 37) 12 0 France Dijon v.  Niger, 10 September 2019
MF Mohamed Rayhi (1994-07-01) 1 July 1994 (age 30) 0 0 Netherlands Sparta Rotterdam training camp, 2020
MF Younès Belhanda (1990-02-25) 25 February 1990 (age 34) 58 5 Turkey Galatasaray v.  Gabon, 15 October 2019
MF Mehdi Carcela (1989-07-01) 1 July 1989 (age 35) 26 1 Belgium Standard Liège v.  Gabon, 15 October 2019
MF Youssef Aït Bennasser (1996-07-07) 7 July 1996 (age 28) 25 0 France Bordeaux v.  Gabon, 15 October 2019
MF Amine Harit (1997-06-18) 18 June 1997 (age 27) 10 0 Germany Schalke 04 v.  Gabon, 15 October 2019
MF Mehdi Bourabia (1991-07-08) 8 July 1991 (age 33) 7 0 Italy Sassuolo v.  Gabon, 15 October 2019
MF Ahmed El Messaoudi (1995-08-03) 3 August 1995 (age 29) 2 0 Netherlands Groningen v.  Gabon, 15 October 2019
MF Anuar Tuhami (1995-01-15) 15 January 1995 (age 29) 2 0 Greece Panathinaikos v.  Gabon, 15 October 2019
FW Walid Azaro (1995-10-06) 6 October 1995 (age 28) 9 0 Saudi Arabia Ettifaq v.  Niger, 10 September 2019
FW Khalid Boutaïb (1987-04-24) 24 April 1987 (age 37) 26 9 Egypt Zamalek 2019 Africa Cup of Nations

RET Player retired from internationals
SUS Player is suspended
INJ Did not make it to the current squad due to injury
DEC Player declined the call-up to the squad
PRE Preliminary squad / standby

Previous squads

Coaching staff

Position Name
Head coach Bosnia and Herzegovina Vahid Halilhodžić[5]
Technical director Wales Osian Roberts[6]
Assistant coach France Patrice Beaumelle
Assistant coach Morocco Mustapha Hadji
Goalkeeping coach Morocco Abdelkader Bouhaddouz
Fitness coach Morocco Hakim El Saïd
Sporting director Morocco Aziz Bouderbala

Home stadium

The Moroccan National team traditionally used the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat and the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca as their main stadiums, but they've recently started using the new Stade de Marrakech in Marrakech, Stade Adrar in Agadir, Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangier and Fez Stadium in Fez.

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

Main article: Morocco at the FIFA World Cup

Morocco's national football team has participated five times in the FIFA World Cup. Their best performance was the 1986 edition when they advanced to the second round, being the first African nation to do so. In 1998, the team narrowly missed repeating the same achievement.

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 Part of  France Part of  France
Italy1934
France1938
Brazil 1950
Switzerland 1954
Sweden 1958 did not enter did not enter
Chile 1962 Did not qualify 7 2 2 3 7 8
England 1966 Withdrew Withdrew
Mexico 1970 Group Stage 14th 3 0 1 2 2 6 10 4 4 2 11 7
West Germany 1974 Did not qualify 10 4 3 3 12 13
Argentina 1978 2 0 2 0 2 2
Spain 1982 8 3 2 3 5 6
Mexico 1986 Round of 16 11th 4 1 2 1 3 2 8 5 2 1 12 1
Italy 1990 Did not qualify 6 1 3 2 4 5
United States 1994 Group Stage 23rd 3 0 0 3 2 5 10 7 2 1 19 4
France 1998 18th 3 1 1 1 5 5 6 5 1 0 14 2
South Korea Japan 2002 Did not qualify 10 6 3 1 11 3
Germany 2006 10 5 5 0 17 7
South Africa 2010 10 3 3 4 14 13
Brazil 2014 6 2 3 1 9 8
Russia 2018 Group Stage 27th 3 0 1 2 2 4 8 4 3 1 13 1
Qatar 2022 To be determined
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined
Total Round of 16 5/21 16 2 5 9 14 22 116 53 41 22 159 80

Africa Cup of Nations

Main article: Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record Africa Cup of Nations Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Sudan 1957 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
United Arab Republic 1959
Ethiopia 1962 Withdrew Withdrew
Ghana 1963 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 5 6
Tunisia 1965 Did not enter Did not enter
Ethiopia 1968
Sudan 1970 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 1 2
Cameroon 1972 Group Stage 5th 3 0 3 0 3 3 4 2 0 2 9 6
Egypt 1974 Did not enter Did not enter
Ethiopia 1976 Winner 1st 6 4 2 0 11 6 6 4 0 2 13 4
Ghana 1978 Group Stage 6th 3 1 1 1 2 4 Qualified as defending champions
Nigeria 1980 Third Place 3rd 5 2 1 2 4 3 4 2 1 1 14 5
Libya 1982 Did not qualify 4 3 0 1 8 4
Ivory Coast 1984 4 1 2 1 4 2
Egypt 1986 Fourth Place 4th 5 1 2 2 4 5 2 1 1 0 1 0
Morocco 1988 Fourth Place 4th 5 1 3 1 3 3 Qualified as hosts
Algeria 1990 Did not qualify 2 0 2 0 1 1
Senegal 1992 Group Stage 9th 2 0 1 1 1 2 6 4 0 2 11 4
Tunisia 1994 Did not qualify 6 2 2 2 5 4
South Africa 1996 4 1 1 2 2 4
Burkina Faso 1998 Quarter-finals 6th 4 2 1 1 6 3 6 4 2 0 10 1
Ghana Nigeria 2000 Group Stage 11th 3 1 1 1 1 2 4 2 2 0 6 4
Mali 2002 Group Stage 9th 3 1 1 1 3 4 6 3 1 2 5 4
Tunisia 2004 Runner-up 2nd 6 4 1 1 14 4 6 5 1 0 10 0
Egypt 2006 Group Stage 13th 3 0 2 1 0 1 10 5 5 0 17 7
Ghana 2008 Group Stage 11th 3 1 0 2 7 6 4 3 1 0 6 1
Angola 2010 Did not qualify 10 3 3 4 14 13
Gabon Equatorial Guinea 2012 Group Stage 12th 3 1 0 2 4 5 6 3 2 1 8 2
South Africa 2013 Group Stage 10th 3 0 3 0 3 3 2 1 0 1 4 2
Equatorial Guinea 2015 Disqualified Originally qualifies as hosts, then disqualified
Gabon 2017 Quarter-finals 7th 4 2 0 2 4 3 6 5 1 0 10 1
Egypt 2019 Round of 16 9th 4 3 1 0 4 1 6 3 2 1 8 3
Cameroon 2021 To be determined To be determined
Ivory Coast 2023
Guinea 2025
Total 1 Title 17/32 65 24 23 18 74 58 106 56 27 23 164 77

Minor tournaments

Year Round Position GP W D* L GS GA
Spain 1965 World Men's Military Cup Third Place 3rd 3 1 1 1 3 5
Libya 1965 Tripoli Tournament Third Place 3rd 3 1 1 1 2 1
Morocco 1966 World Men's Military Cup Runner-up 2nd 3 0 1 2 1 4
Libya 1966 Tripoli Exhibition Cup Winner 1st 4 3 0 1 4 5
Belgium 1967 World Men's Military Cup Third Place 3rd - - - - - -
Syria 1974 Kuneitra Cup Winner 1st 7 6 1 0 16 5
Malaysia 1980 Merdeka Tournament Winner 1st 8 5 2 1 15 7
France 1988 Tournoi de France Runner-up 2nd 2 1 0 1 4 3
Italy 1989 World Men's Military Cup Runner-up 2nd 3 1 1 1 3 4
Morocco 1993 World Men's Military Cup Runner-up 2nd 5 4 0 1 16 5
Morocco 1996 King Hassan II International Cup Tournament Third Place 3rd 2 1 1 0 4 2
Morocco 1998 King Hassan II International Cup Tournament Third Place 3rd 2 0 1 1 2 3
Morocco 1999 LG Cup Runner-up 2nd 2 1 0 1 2 2
Morocco 2000 King Hassan II International Cup Tournament Runner-up 2nd 2 1 0 1 2 5
Morocco 2002 LG Cup (Morocco) Third Place 3rd 2 1 1 0 2 0
Iran 2002 LG Cup (Iran) Third Place 3rd 2 0 2 0 1 1
Morocco 2011 LG Cup (Morocco) Third Place 3rd 2 0 1 1 1 2
Total 3 titles 17/17 52 26 13 13 78 54

Honours

Senior team

Winner: 1976
Runners-up: 2004
Third place: 1980
Champions: 2012
Champions: 2018

Youth and Olympic teams

Main articles: Morocco A' national football team, Morocco national under-23 football team, Morocco national under-20 football team, and Morocco national under-17 football team

FIFA ranking history

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
30 33 38 27 15 10 24 28 36 35 38 33 36 39 39 41 67 79 61 74 73 81 75 57 40 40 41

Coaches

Source:[7]

Managers
Name Nationality Years as manager Trophy won World Cup Africa Cup
Larbi Ben Barek Morocco 1957 - - -
Mohammed Khamirib & Abdelkader Lokhmiri Morocco 1959 - - -
Larbi Ben Barek Morocco 1960 - - -
Kader Firoud France 1961 - - -
Mohammed Massoun & Abderrahmane Mahjoub Morocco 1961–1967 - - -
Guy Cluzeau & Abdellah Settati France & Morocco 1968–1969 - - -
Blagoja Vidinić Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1970 - 1970 (GS) -
José Barinaga Spain 1971–1972 - - 1972 (GS)
Abderrahmane Mahjoub Morocco 1972–1973 - - -
Virgil Mărdărescu Romania 1974–1978 1976 African Cup of Nations - 1976 (W) - 1978 (GS)
Guy Cluzeau France 1979 - - -
Just Fontaine France 1979–1980 - - -
Jebrane & Yabram Hamidouch Morocco 1980–1981 - - 1980 (3RD)
Abdellah El-Ammari Morocco 1982 - - -
Jaime Valente Brazil 1983 - - -
Mehdi Faria Brazil 1983–1988 - 1986 (R16) 1986 (4TH) - 1988 (4TH)
Jaime Valente Brazil 1988–1989 - - -
Antonio Valentín Argentina 1989–1990 - - -
Abdellah Ajri Blinda Morocco 1990 - - -
Werner Olk Germany 1990–1992 - - 1992 (GS)
Abdellah Ajri Blinda Morocco 1993–1994 - 1994 (GN) -
Mohammed Lamari Morocco 1994 - - -
Gílson Nunes Brazil 1995 - - -
Henri Michel France 1995–2000 - 1998 (GS) 1998 (QF) - 2000 (GS)
Henryk Kasperczak Poland 2000 - - -
Humberto Coelho Portugal 2000–2002 - - 2002 (GS)
Badou Ezzaki Morocco 2002–2005 - - 2004 (F)
Philippe Troussier France 2005 - - -
Mohamed Fakhir Morocco 2006–2007 - - 2006 (GS)
Henri Michel France 2007–2008 - - 2008 (GS)
Fathi Jamal Morocco 2008 - - -
Roger Lemerre France 2008–2009 - - -
Hassan Moumen (caretaker) Morocco 2009–2010 - - -
Eric Gerets Belgium 2010–2012 - - 2012 (GS)
Rachid Taoussi Morocco 2012–2013 - - 2013 (GS)
Hassan Benabicha (caretaker) Morocco 2013–2014 - - -
Badou Ezzaki[8] Morocco 2014–2015 - - -
Hervé Renard[9] France 2016–2019 - 2018 (GS) 2017 (QF) - 2019 (R16)
Vahid Halilhodžić[5] Bosnia and Herzegovina 2019–Present - - -

Kit suppliers

Kit provider Period
Germany Adidas 1982–1993
Italy Lotto 1994–1995
England Stevie P 1995
Italy Lotto 1995–1997
Germany Puma 1998–2002
United States Nike 2003–2006
Germany Puma 2007–2011
Germany Adidas 2012–2019
Germany Puma 2019–
Morocco national team in 2012

See also

Other football codes

Notes

  1. ^ In Arabic: منتخب المغرب لكرة القدم. In Tamaziǧt: Tarabbut anamur n Maghrib.

References

  1. ^ a b Morocco - Record International Players
  2. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  3. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  4. ^ biladi, ya (2019). "According to Hervé Renard, the Atlas Lions "can be competitive against" Argentina".
  5. ^ a b "Morocco: FRMF to name former Fennec manager as new coach of Atlas Lions". The North Africa Post. 2 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Osian Roberts: 'I felt I was ready for the main job' - departing Wales assistant". BBC Sport. 2 August 2019.
  7. ^ Hassanin Mubarak. "Morocco National Team Coaches". rsssf.com. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  8. ^ "Morocco name former player Badou Zaki as new coach". bbc.com. BBC Sport. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  9. ^ "Morocco unveil Frenchman Herve Renard as coach". bbc.com. BBC Sport. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
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