World Cup Group F: Morocco's sprinkling of stars offer hope of a successful tournament

Morocco have qualified for successive World Cups for the first time since 1998, and will arrive in Qatar led by manager Walid Regragui.

The North African side booked their place in emphatic fashion after cruising through their qualifying group with six wins from six games before beating DR Congo 5-2 on aggregate across two legs in the play-off round.

Morocco will look to set up to frustrate their opponents in Qatar, but they are capable of playing progressively when they get the ball to their key players.

Paris Saint-Germain wing-back Achraf Hakimi is one of their leading stars, with their system ensuring that he is able to use his pace to get forward and influence the game from advanced areas.

While Morocco showed their ability to compete against the top teams at the 2018 World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Spain and narrow 1-0 defeat to Portugal, their attacking options have been improved by the form of Ayoub El Kaabi. The 29-year-old scored five goals in seven games during qualifying, and an impressive 2021/22 campaign in the Turkkish Super Lig with Hatayspor saw him finish with 18 league goals.

Of course, Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri, who scored the equaliser against Spain in 2018, remains a threat after scoring in Morocco’s last two competitive matches over the summer.

And then there is the return of Hakim Ziyech. The Chelsea winger had retired from international football following a fall-out with previous manager Vahid Halilhodzic but has returned to the setup after discussions with Regragui.

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations match against Gabon at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde on January 18, 2022. AFP
Morocco's forward Sofiane Boufal, left, celebrates scoring his team's first goal against Gabon. AFP
Morocco's defender Achraf Hakimi scored in the Group C Afcon match against Gabon in Yaounde. AFP
Morocco's forward Sofiane Boufal celebrates scoring his team's first goal against Gabon. AFP
Morocco's midfielder Selim Amallah, top, is tackled by Gabon's midfielder Andre Biyogo Poko. AFP
Morocco's Bosnian head coach Vahid Halilhodzic during the match against Gabon. AFP
Morocco's midfielder Sofyan Amrabat fights for the ball with Gabon's midfielder Guelor Kanga. AFP
Morocco's midfielder Faycal Fajr during the Afcon match against Gabon. AFP