Morocco began AFCON 2027 qualifying preparations at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maâmora under head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, with the opening session focused on physical conditioning, collective automatisms, and tactical organization.
The first training session, supervised by head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, focused on physical conditioning, collective automatisms and tactical organization. Achraf Hakimi and Ismaël Saibari were absent from the opening session but are expected to join the group in the coming days.
Achraf Hakimi and Ismaël Saibari missed the opening session but are expected to rejoin the squad in the coming days.
Ouahbi has identified qualification for AFCON 2027 as the team’s priority objective, favoring a balance between experienced internationals and emerging talent. He has emphasized that veteran leadership will be valuable during African competition, with Morocco’s participation in the 2026 World Cup viewed as additional context for the group’s continued development. The national team is nicknamed the Atlas Lions after the majestic mountain range and the now-extinct species of lion that once roamed the region.
The squad of 29 includes four goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou, Munir El Kajoui, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti and Alaa Bellarouch. Fourteen defenders and eight midfielders round out the rest of the group, while seven forwards were called up, including Brahim Díaz, Soufiane Rahimi and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli. Experienced figures such as Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Noussair Mazraoui and Azzedine Ounahi bring significant international experience to the squad.
Three players received their first senior call-ups for this window: Abdellah Ouazane, Soufian El Faouzi and Yassir Zabiri. Their inclusion reflects an effort to test squad depth and increase internal competition ahead of the qualifying campaign.
Morocco has been placed in Group A of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. The team’s first match will be against Gabon at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, followed by a trip to Bloemfontein, South Africa, to face Lesotho four days later. A friendly against Ghana is also scheduled in Tangier.
Daily training sessions will continue at the Mohammed VI Football Complex as the technical staff works on cohesion, competitive rhythm and tactical setup. AFCON 2027 will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
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