Morocco World Cup Preview

Manager: Walid Regragui

Key Player: Achraf Hakimi

Best Finish: Mexico 1986 (Round of 16)

2022 World Cup group: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia

With a tough group, national controversy and a new head coach, Morocco head into Qatar 2022 in an incredibly tough position. Having only made it out of the group stage once, they are massive underdogs.

The controversy starts with Hakim Ziyech, The Chelsea forward was left out of the squad by former head coach Vahid Halilhodzic. It was claimed that Ziyech faked an injury to get out of some friendlies, however, since the departure of Halilhodzic the former Ajax star has seemed to have repaired his relationship with the team and new manager and returned to the national side with a win over Chile last month.

Morocco has a tough history in the World Cup, they have only progressed out of the group stages once in 1986 which led to a narrow defeat to west Germany in the round of 16.

Morocco’s group is arguably one of the toughest in this year's competition. Belgium always have strength in depth, Croatia was the runner-up last year and Canada will be looking to challenge these two teams.

Manager Walid Regragui made it very clear in an interview that they are there to “participate in the World Cup not to play only three matches”.