2026 World Cup | Which Morocco players could pose a threat to France? | OneFootball

Star player

Achraf Hakimi is, without a doubt, the biggest star Moroccan football has known. If Larbi Ben Barek, Noureddine Naybet and Yassine Bounou have all enjoyed the love and respect of football fans, Hakimi is on a whole other level of stardom. He’s been consistent and successful among the very best teams of world football. After starting his career at Real Madrid, he has represented Borussia Dortmund, Inter and Paris St-Germain, where he won the Champions League for a first time in 2025. “I don’t know if Luis Enrique changed my career,” he said. “But his arrival has changed how the world of football sees me.” In February it was announced that he will face trial after an allegation of rape was made against him. He vehemently denies the accusation. 

One to watch

He only became a Moroccan international in September 2025 but Neil El Aynaoui is already considered one of the Atlas Lions’ best players. Son of Moroccan tennis legend, Younes El Ayanoui, Neil is a multifunctional midfielder, very tough in recovering the ball and keen to join in the attacks. After a convincing stint at Lens, he joined Roma last summer and, despite the fans’ initial scepticism and few appearances at the start of the season, the midfielder became an important player to Gian Piero Gasperini. If Morocco are to be successful in North America El Aynaoui will be an important piece of the jigsaw.

Unsung hero

Noussair Mazraoui is a real soldier on the field of play. Framed as a right back, Nous is much more than that. At Manchester United, he has been used in 6 different positions, spanning from centre defence to attacking midfield. With the Moroccan national team, Mazraoui is used as a left back, where he can help as a third centre whenever Achraf Hakimi is on the attack, which is often the case. But Mazraoui is definitely important when the team needs a leader, especially when Hakimi is not there. Mazraoui is more than keen to make sure his teammates don’t lose focus and that says a lot about how involved he really is. 

This is a piece from Amine El Amri for SKWAD by 2M TV as part of the Guardian Sports Network

GFFN | Luke Entwistle