A New Tactical Direction Under Ouahbi
Following their historic run as the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022, expectations for the Atlas Lions are higher than ever. However, the team enters the 2026 tournament in North America with a different face at the helm. Mohamed Ouahbi, who led the U-20 side to World Cup glory in 2025, has replaced Walid Regragui. Fans can anticipate a shift from Regragui's counter-attacking style to Ouahbi's more fluid 4-1-4-1 or 4-3-3 formations, heavily focused on exploiting wide areas and offensive intent.
The Squad: Qatar Veterans and Rising Stars
Ouahbi’s 26-man roster retains nine key figures from the historic 2022 squad, including global stars like Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi and Al Hilal's Yassine Bounou. The squad also features an exciting debutant in 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, whose recent commitment to Morocco over France is a massive boost for the nation's future. Noticeably absent, however, is Sofiane Boufal; Ouahbi candidly explained that the number 10 role was already highly contested within the current setup.
Grassroots and Botola Pro 1 Influence
The strength of the national team is deeply intertwined with local development, ranging from passionate grassroots youth matches in regions like Aït Baha to the fiercely competitive top-flight Botola Pro 1. This domestic strength is well-represented in the current squad, featuring elite local goalkeepers such as Munir El Kajoui from RS Berkane, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti of AS FAR, and El Mehdi Benabid from Wydad AC. This synergy between international experience and local talent ensures that the Atlas Lions are well-equipped to face Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti in Group C.
