The next national team camp is fast approaching, following the Atlas Lions’ run to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup. At the end of September, Mohamed Ouahbi’s men will gather at the Mohammed VI Complex in Maâmora to prepare for two 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with the tournament set to be held next summer in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The two matches will be played in Morocco, in Rabat, and South Africa, in Bloemfontein, on September 25 and 29.
With Ismael Saibari and Achraf Hakimi suspended for one and two matches, respectively, following the events of the 2025 AFCON final, Mohamed Ouahbi will have to find solutions to cover two important absences. Other players are still injured or uncertain, while some have returned to form or emerged as new options.
This provides an opportunity to sketch out the squad that could be called up. The selection will depend on each player’s availability, but above all on their latest performances at the start of the season and how much they have been involved in competitive action, in line with the approach adopted by the Moroccan coach.
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Goalkeepers
Yassine Bounou, a key figure for the national team and Al Hilal goalkeeper, should be called up unless his latest hamstring issue, which occurred before the match against Al Okhdood, proves more serious.
The lack of playing time for Munir El Kajoui (Berkane) and Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (AS FAR), with the Botola season still yet to start on September 24, could weigh against their selection, given Ouahbi’s preference for players who are active and in form. If Bounou is unavailable, however, one of the two could still be called up despite the lack of match fitness, given the experience they would bring to the squad.
Two other goalkeepers, however, stand out: Salaheddine Chihab, the MAS goalkeeper, who has been active, notably in the opening round of the CAF Champions League, where the Fassis secured a convincing 4-1 win over Rahimo FC.
Yanis Benchaouch, the young U20 world champion who took part in the Atlas Lions’ camp ahead of the 2026 World Cup and joined Red Star’s reserve team for preseason, could be called up as the third goalkeeper.
Defenders
Noussair Mazraoui should logically be included, unlike Achraf Hakimi, who is suspended for two matches, as mentioned above. Recently called-up Redouane Halhal and Issa Diop could also retain their places. Nayef Aguerd, who has made a strong start to the season with Marseille, should be called up as well, given his status as a key member of the national team.
With Hakimi unavailable, Omar El Hilali, a right-back by training at Espanyol Barcelona, could be one of Mohamed Ouahbi’s preferred options. Already called up once by former coach Walid Regragui, he has shown impressive consistency with his boyhood club and can also be moved into central defense. More comfortable this season, the player recently admitted that he would welcome a return to the national team, having played only a few seconds against Zambia in September 2025.
Another player has shown an interesting level of consistency: Mahmoud Bentayg, who is active with Zamalek and has provided an assist in each of the first four rounds of the Egyptian league, could replace Noussair Mazraoui on the left flank in the absence of Anass Salah-Eddine, who is badly short of playing time at Roma and has now fallen down Gasperini’s pecking order.
On the right, young Ali Maamar, a U20 world champion who has made a good start to the season with Anderlecht, could be called up by Ouahbi, who knows him well. The coach has never hidden his desire to give deserving young players a chance, with the aim of ensuring continuity within the national team.
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Midfielders
For the defensive midfield roles, Ayyoub Bouaddi, who has shown promise at Manchester City at the start of the season, and Neil El Aynaoui, who remains active and a regular starter, should both be recalled to the national team. The two formed a very effective partnership at the 2026 World Cup and appear to fit Ouahbi’s vision perfectly.
Sofyan Amrabat, meanwhile, announced in an Instagram story that he would boycott the coach and would not be present at the upcoming camp.
Further forward, Bilal El Khannouss, who is active with Stuttgart and recently scored for the German club, should be called up, as should Azzedine Ounahi. Samir El Mourabet (Strasbourg) could also be called up by the coach who first brought him into the national team.
A return for Amine Harit to the national team cannot be ruled out. Back in strong form with Marseille this season, the midfielder has made an impressive start to the campaign on the Canebière.
Forwards
Brahim Diaz, who put in an excellent Champions League performance against Inter and remains active in Madrid, should logically receive a call-up. The absence of Abdessamad Ezzalzouli cannot be ruled out. Having seen little playing time at Betis after an injury sustained before the World Cup, the winger recently returned to training but is still short of match fitness.
Gessime Yassine, who has been in excellent form recently at Strasbourg and scored during the 2026 World Cup, should be in Rabat with the squad. The player has made significant progress at the club, which he joined last winter.
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His U20 teammate in Chile, Othmane Maamma, could also be called up. Alongside Gessime Yassine and Yassir Zabiri, he formed a highly effective attacking trio that played a major role in winning the title in Santiago. A consistent performer with Watford and absent from the last national team camp, the former Montpellier player could receive his first call-up under Ouahbi.
Abdellah Ouazane, an Ajax player who has put in some impressive performances recently, could receive his first senior call-up. Until now, he has only represented Morocco at U17 level.
Suspended for one match, Ismael Saibari could be left out by Mohamed Ouahbi, giving the coach an opportunity to test new options. The Bayern Munich player would nevertheless remain available for the match against Lesotho. As for Soufiane Rahimi, who remains a consistent performer for Al Ain and has recently made decisive contributions, the striker should logically return to the national team.
With Ayoub El Kaabi unavailable following the unfortunate injury he recently suffered with Olympiacos, Yassir Zabiri could earn his second call-up to the senior national team. The Mohamed VI Academy graduate recently became the fourth Moroccan player to score a hat-trick in LaLiga and has been getting significant playing time with Racing Santander.
A first call-up for Younes Ebnoutalib also cannot be ruled out after he scored three goals in two Bundesliga matches with Frankfurt.
The player has yet to announce his choice of sporting nationality. However, Ouahbi’s recent visit suggests that the process is moving forward, despite Jürgen Klopp’s efforts to convince him to join the Germany national team. A mobile center-forward and clinical finisher, Ebnoutalib could provide a genuine attacking presence and an added touch of finishing ability to a department that sometimes lacks goalscorers.
Mohamed Ouahbi’s squad for the first two 2027 AFCON qualifiers, according to the editorial staff:
Goalkeepers
Yassine Bounou
Salaheddine Chihab
Yanis Benchaouch
Defenders
Noussair Mazraoui
Redouane Halhal
Issa Diop
Nayef Aguerd
Omar El Hilali
Mahmoud Bentayg
Ali Maamar
Midfielders
Ayyoub Bouaddi
Neil El Aynaoui
Bilal El Khannouss
Azzedine Ounahi
Samir El Mourabet
Amine Harit
Forwards
Brahim Diaz
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli
Gessime Yassine
Othmane Maamma
Abdellah Ouazane
Ismael Saibari (suspended for one match)
Soufiane Rahimi
Yassir Zabiri
Younes Ebnoutalib
Official absentees:
Ayoub El Kaabi (injured)
Sofyan Amrabat (boycott)
Achraf Hakimi (suspended)
