Monday 08 June 2026

Monday 08 June 2026

Under High Instructions of HM the King, HRH Prince Moulay Rachid Receives National Football Team Members, Runners-Up of AFCON Morocco-2025

Under the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid received on Monday at the Royal Guests Palace in Rabat the members of the National Football Team, finalists of the Africa Cup of Nations (Morocco-2025).

On this occasion, HRH Prince Moulay Rachid was greeted by the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, the National Team coach, Walid Regragui, and the members of the National Team, before posing for a commemorative photo.

This reception reflects the High Benevolence with which His Majesty the King, may God assist Him, has continually surrounded the youth and supported their development through sports, and the particular interest the Sovereign attaches to this sector in general, and to football in particular.

His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, sent, immediately after the end of the final match between the national team and its Senegalese counterpart, a message of congratulations to the members of the National Team. In this message, the Sovereign emphasized that, “through this distinguished campaign, you have demonstrated that perseverance, dedication, and team spirit are the keys to achieving excellence” and “also shown the world what Moroccan and African youth can accomplish when they believe in their talents and abilities”.

“You also proved, through determination and your heroic and honorable performance, the importance of my strategic vision to invest in human capital and modernize the Kingdom’s infrastructure, which demonstrated their resilience and their world-class level of preparation ahead of the organization of the 2030 World Cup,” HM the King stated in His message.

MAP:22 January 2026

Related news

The Moroccan national team defeated its Malagasy counterpart 4-0 in a friendly match preparing for the 2026 World Cup, played on Tuesday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

The Atlas Lions’ goals were scored by Ismaël Saibari, who netted a brace (4th, 25th minutes), and Soufiane Rahimi from the penalty spot (78th minute), before Ayoub El Kaabi sealed Morocco’s victory in the 87th minute, scoring the fourth goal.

National team coach Mohamed Ouahbi unveiled on Tuesday a list of 26 players and 3 reserves selected ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which will take place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Morocco will compete in Group C of the World Cup alongside Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti.

Below is the list of the called-up players:

Goalkeepers:

– Yassine Bounou

– Munir El Kajoui

– Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti

Defenders:

– Noussair Mazraoui

– Anas Salah-Eddine

– Youssef Bellammari

– Achraf Hakimi

– Zakaria El Ouahdi

– Nayef Aguerd

– Chadi Riad

– Redouane Halhal

– Issa Diop

Midfielders:

– Samir El Mourabet

– Ayyoub Bouaddi

– Neil El Aynaoui

– Sofyan Amrabat

– Azzedine Ounahi

– Bilal El Khannouss

– Ismaël Saibari

Forwards:

– Abdesamad Ezzalzouli

– Chemsdine Talbi

– Soufiane Rahimi

– Ayoub El Kaabi

– Brahim Diaz

– Yassine Gessim

– Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab

Reserves:

– El Mehdi Al Harrar

– Amine Sbai

– Marwane Saadane.

The Senegalese national team qualified for the final of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations (Morocco 2026) after defeating their Moroccan counterparts 7-6 in a penalty shootout (1-1 in regulation time) on Thursday at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

Senegal’s goal was scored by Mouhamed Wagner (23′), before Ismail El Aoud equalized for the Atlas Lions (90+9′).

 

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) announced that it received a decision on Friday from the Players’ Status Chamber (PSC) of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), dated May 15, 2026, approving its request regarding the change of sporting nationality for the player Ayoub Bouaddi, who plays for LOCS Lille (France).

This decision by the PSC signifies the official and immediate eligibility of Ayoub Bouaddi to represent the Moroccan National Team in various international competitions, the FRMF specified in a press release.

The Moroccan U17 national football team and its Tunisian counterpart played to a 1-1 draw in their opening Group A match of the Africa Cup of Nations, played on Wednesday at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

The Tunisians opened the scoring through Yahya Jlidi in the 28th minute of play, before Ilian Hadidi scored the equalizer in the 76th minute.

The Moroccan national team will play three friendly matches in preparation for its participation in the 2026 World Cup finals, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The first friendly match will see the national team face Burundi this May 26 at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, behind closed doors, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) announced in a press release on Tuesday.

Achraf Hakimi’s teammates will then play against Madagascar on June 2 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, starting at 6:00 PM, the FRMF specified.

The final match will pit the Atlas Lions against Norway on June 7 at the Red Bull Arena in New York, United States, at 3:00 PM local time.

Morocco has been drawn alongside Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti in Group C of the 2026 World Cup.