Beyond Regragui: How Ouahbi plans to integrate Morocco’s U20 World Cup winners into the senior side | OneFootball

Ouahbi’s first Morocco squad sends a clear message

Beyond Regragui: How Ouahbi plans to integrate Morocco’s U20 World Cup winners into the senior side

New Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi named 57 player provisional squad ahead of March friendlies against Ecuador & Paraguay.

Ouahbi starts work with a large provisional list

New Mohamed Ouahbi started shaping his first squad as head coach of Morocco preparing 57 player provisional list for upcoming friendlies against Ecuador & Paraguay later in March.

Ouahbi takes charge during an important moment for Moroccan football after the successful era of Walid Regragui who led the Atlas Lions to a historic World Cup 2022 semi final in Qatar.

The new coach now faces high expectations as Morocco prepare for the next cycle leading to FIFA World Cup 2026.

Young talents and familiar faces included

Early reports suggest that Ouahbi’s extended squad includes several young players he previously coached at youth level showing his plan to connect the senior team with the country’s successful youth system.

Among the new names are Yanis Begraoui who has scored 17 goal in the Portuguese league and Samir El Mourabet who impressed with Strasbourg.

The list also features local league top scorer Soufiane Benjdida along with youth World Cup winners Yassir Zabiri and Gessime Yassine.

These call ups give the young players a chance to prove themselves before the final squad is announced.

Return of key players and local league presence

The provisional squad also includes the return of Chadi Riad, the Crystal Palace defender who recently recovered from injury.

He could strengthen Morocco’s defense following the international retirement of former captain Romain Saiss.

Ouahbi also sent strong message to players in the Moroccan domestic league selecting several local talents such as Soufiane Benjdida, Rabii Hrimat, Anas Bash and Marouane Ouadni.

Goalkeeper Reda Tagnaouti, part of Morocco’s World Cup 2022 squad is also back in the extended list.

This mix of experienced players, young prospects and domestic talents shows Ouahbi’s aim to build a balanced team.

A new chapter for the Atlas Lions

Ouahbi earned the senior role after leading Morocco’s U20 team to victory in the FIFA U20 World Cup 2025. The federation believes his knowledge of emerging players will help integrate a new generation into the national team.

The upcoming friendlies against Ecuador & Paraguay will give the coach his first chance to test combinations and evaluate players before key competitions ahead.