Morocco turn to youth as Ouahbi names first squad for AFCON 2027 qualifiers

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi has named three uncapped youngsters in his first senior squad as the Atlas Lions prepare to begin their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign against Gabon and Lesotho.

Abdellah Ouazane, Soufian El Faouzi and Yassir Zabiri have been included in the 29-man squad announced by Ouahbi at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé on Thursday.

The Atlas Lions host Gabon at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on 25 September before travelling to Bloemfontein, South Africa, to face Lesotho four days later.

Morocco will also play Ghana in a friendly in Tangier during the international window, giving Ouahbi an opportunity to assess both established players and some of the emerging talent included in his first selection.

Ouazane among youngsters handed opportunity

One of the most eye-catching selections is 17-year-old Ouazane, who has been promoted to the senior set-up as his rapid development continues.

He is joined among the newcomers by Zabiri and El Faouzi, with Ouahbi choosing to introduce several younger players while retaining much of the established core of the national team.

Zabiri earns his opportunity following his performances with Racing Santander, while El Faouzi has impressed at German side Schalke 04.

The three newcomers are part of a squad which contains a mixture of experience and youth as Morocco begin the road towards the continental finals.

There are also opportunities for Yassine Gessime and Tawfik Bentayeb in an attack that includes Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz, Soufiane Rahimi and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.

Aguerd and Ezzalzouli return

Ouahbi has also recalled several players, including defender Nayef Aguerd, who returns to the national team following his move to Olympique de Marseille.

Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal is another defender back in the squad, while goalkeeper Alaa Bellarouch has been selected after securing more playing time with Dinamo Bucharest.

Ezzalzouli also returns to strengthen the attacking options.

Ouahbi has retained several of Morocco's most established internationals, with captain Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui providing experience in defence.

Yassine Bounou and Munir El Kajoui are among four goalkeepers selected, while Bilal El Khannouss, Azzedine Ounahi and Ismaël Saibari feature in midfield.

Brahim Diaz is among the attacking options as Morocco look to make a strong start to their qualification campaign.

Competition for places increases

The inclusion of several emerging players is likely to increase competition within a squad already containing players established at leading European and African clubs.

Ouahbi has selected 10 defenders and eight midfielders, providing him with considerable options across the pitch for three matches during the international window.

Among the midfield newcomers is El Faouzi, while Ayyoub Bouaddi and Samir El Mourabet are also included alongside Neil El Aynaoui and Oussama Targalline.

One notable absentee is Younès Ebnoutalib, who is eligible to represent Morocco but has instead been called up by Germany.

Morocco will now gather ahead of the Gabon match, which will be Ouahbi's first competitive assignment with the senior national team.

The Atlas Lions then travel to South Africa for their meeting with Lesotho before turning their attention to the friendly against Ghana in Tangier.

Morocco squad

Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou, Munir El Kajoui, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, Alaa Bellarouch.

Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui, Anass Salah-Eddine, Marwane Saadane, Nayef Aguerd, Redouane Halhal, Issa Diop, Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, Achraf Hakimi, Zakaria El Ouahdi, Ali Maamar.

Midfielders: Samir El Mourabet, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui, Oussama Targalline, Bilal El Khannouss, Soufian El Faouzi, Azzedine Ounahi, Ismaël Saibari.

Forwards: Brahim Diaz, Yassine Gessime, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Abdellah Ouazane, Soufiane Rahimi, Tawfik Bentayeb, Yassir Zabiri.