2022 FIFA World Cup Team Preview: Morocco

Morocco World Cup Team Preview

Morocco

FIFA Ranking: 22
Manager: Walid Regragui
Federation: CAF
Group: Belgium, Croatia, Canada, Morocco
Odds to win World Cup: +25000, FanDuel Sportsbook
Odds to win Group F: +1000, Caesars
Odds to advance in Group F: +250 BetMGM

How did Morocco qualify for the World Cup?

Morocco were the clear top team in African qualifying being the only team to win six out of six matches. They scored 20 goals and conceded just once. In the playoffs, Morocco beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 5-2 on aggregate.

Who is Morocco’s most important player?

Achraf Hakimi
Hakim Ziyech

I cheated and picked two. Hakimi and Ziyech are Morocco’s two most talented players but also do completely different things. Hakimi is one of the fastest players in the world and one of the top right backs. He uses his pace and athleticism to attack and defend up and down the right side of the pitch. Hakimi is the starting right back for European giants PSG, which is a testament to his quality.

Ziyech has previously been decorated as Morocco’s top player but had a falling out with Morocco’s previous coach which forced him to retire internationally. That said, Ziyech is back and playing his brand of football as a true number 10. His nickname is “The Wizard” as he’s an exceptional dribbler and playmaker. What he lacks in pace he makes up for in creativity and a sweet-swinging left foot.

What are Morocco’s strengths, weaknesses, style of play and form?

Morocco will play a 4-3-3 and play a neutral brand of football. They have strength in the middle and pace on the wings.

Morocco’s strength is their grit. This is one of the physically stronger teams in the entire tournament who lack fear against any opponent. Not only are they physically gifted, they have pacey technical players on the wings who create goal-scoring counter attacking opportunities. This is also a team full of top European and Champions League experience. Hakimi has won both Serie A and Ligue 1 titles while Boufal, Ziyech and Amrabat all have Champions League experience.

This Moroccan side doesn’t have a ton of holes, the one that stands out would be their lack of a true number 9. Not too long ago, Youssef En-Nesyri was considered one of the best up and coming stickers in the world, but after a significant injury last year has never really regained his form. En-Nesyri is on the World Cup roster, but it remains to be seen if he will start or even play. If he is to somehow regain his form, this negative would turn into a positive and make Morocco a very dangerous team.

Morocco had two African Cup of Nations matches canceled in September but did beat Chile 2-0 and drew Paraguay 0-0 in friendlies. They are slated to play Georgia Nov. 17 for their World Cup tuneup.

What is Morocco’s World Cup Outlook?

This is a legitimately dangerous side. They are strong all over the pitch and athletically can play with anyone. They have experience and technical ability to steal points away from the two giants in the group in Belgium and Croatia. After drawing Spain and Portugal in the 2018 World Cup, Morocco is a bit unlucky drawing Belgium and Spain, but they are a real threat to surprise many and advance out of this group. It’s safe to assume that the expectation internally for this squad is to advance as well.

Best Morocco World Cup Bet

Morocco to Advance out of Group F (+250 BetMGM)

I really like this Moroccan side and considering the fact this is the first World Cup to be hosted in an Arab nation, Morocco will likely have the largest contingency of fans in the group. This is a well-rounded team with good experience that won’t make many mistakes.