Morocco national football team

Morocco
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) أُسُودُ الأَطلَس
(The Atlas Lions)
Association Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF)
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation UNAF (North Africa)
Head coach Walid Regragui
Captain Romain Saïss
Most caps Noureddine Naybet (115)
Top scorer Ahmed Faras (36)
Home stadium Various
FIFA code MAR
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 13 Steady (21 December 2023)
Highest 10 (April 1998)
Lowest 95 (September 2010)
First international
Morocco 3–3 Iraq
(Beirut, Lebanon; 19 October 1957)
Biggest win
Morocco 13–1 Saudi Arabia
(Casablanca, Morocco; 6 September 1961)
Biggest defeat
Hungary 6–0 Morocco
(Tokyo, Japan; 11 October 1964)
World Cup
Appearances 7 (first in 1970)
Best result Fourth place (2022)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances 20 (first in 1972)
Best result Champions (1976)
Arab Cup
Appearances 4 (first in 1998)
Best result Champions (2012)
African Nations Championship
Appearances 4 (first in 2014)
Best result Champions (2018, 2020)

The Morocco national football team (Arabic: منتخب الْمَغْرِب لِكُرَّةُ الْقَدَم; Berber: ⴼⵔⵇⴰ ⵏ ⵜⵛⴰⵎⴰ ⵏ ⵍⵎⴴⵔⵉⴱ) represents Morocco in men's international football, and is controlled by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, the governing body for football in Morocco.

One of Africa's most successful national football teams, Morocco won the 1976 African Cup of Nations, two African Nations Championships and a FIFA Arab Cup while participating in the FIFA World Cup six times. They made history in 1986, when they became the first African team to finish top of a group at a World Cup and the first African team to reach the knockout stages. However, they lost to West Germany 1–0.

Morocco defied all expectations at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, topping their group containing Croatia, Canada and Belgium. Morocco also eliminated Spain and Portugal to become the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. They were also the third ever semi-finalist not from UEFA or CONMEBOL. Morocco were knocked out by France in the semi-finals and lost the third place play-off, therefore finishing in 4th-place, their highest ever finish.

The Atlas Lions were ranked 10th in the FIFA World Rankings in April 1998. They were ranked as the top African national team for three consecutive years, from 1997 to 1999, and again since December 2022. As of September 2023, Morocco is ranked as the 13th best national team in the world.

History

Pre-independence period

Morocco national football team in 1942 with the legend Larbi Benbarek (1917–1992)

The Moroccan national team was founded in 1928 and played its first game on 22 December of that year against the B team of France, to whom it lost 2–1. This team, formed by the best footballers of the LMFA or the Moroccan Football League (settlers or natives), was active in friendly matches against other North African teams such as those of Algeria and Tunisia. These associations of settler clubs and local footballers, in addition to having their own championship, clashed with each other in a tournament that Morocco won several times, such as in 1948–1949.

The LMFA also faced some club teams such as NK Lokomotiva Zagreb in January 1950, as well as France A and France B. Against France A the LMFA made a 1–1 draw in Casablanca in 1941.

On 9 September 1954, an earthquake struck the Algerian region of Orléansville (now Chlef) and caused the destruction of the city and the death of over 1,400 people. On 7 October 1954, the French Football Association and the Maghreb inhabitants organized a charity match to raise funds for the families of the victims of the catastrophic event. In the match, held at the Parc de Princes in Paris, a team made up of Moroccans, Algerians and Tunisians played against the national team of France. Led by star Larbi Benbarek, the Maghreb selection managed to win 3–2, a month before the Toussaint Rouge attacks by the Algerian National Liberation Front which marked the beginning of the Algerian War.

The beginnings of Morocco (1955–1963)

Mohamed Massoun (1912–1983) coach of Morocco in the 1960s

In 1955, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation was established, at the end of the French protectorate of Morocco, which had lasted since 1912.

On 19 October 1957, at the 2nd edition of the Arab Games in Lebanon, Morocco made its debut as an independent country against Iraq, at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, and drew 3–3. At the tournament, Morocco took the first win in its history against Libya, winning 5–1, then beat Tunisia 3–1 to reach the semi-finals. After a 1–1 draw with Syria, lots were drawn to decide who would progress to the final, and Syria were selected at Morocco's expense. Morocco withdrew from the third-place play-off against Lebanon and finished fourth overall.

Between 1957 and 1958, Morocco held numerous friendly matches against the National Liberation Front team, the representative of Algeria before its independence in 1958. In 1959, the team took part for the first time in an international competition, the qualifying rounds of the 1960 Rome Olympics. Drawn into a group with Tunisia and Malta, Morocco finished second on goal difference and failed to progress. That same year, the football federation of Morocco joined FIFA.

In 1960, Morocco competed in World Cup qualification for the first time. Drawn against Tunisia in the first round, Morocco won the first leg 2–1, while Tunisia won the second leg 2–1. A play-off held in Palermo, Italy also finished in a tie, so a coin toss was used to determine who progressed. Morocco won the toss, and beat Ghana 1–0 on aggregate to reach the inter-continental play-offs. Drawn against Spain, Morocco lost 4–2 on aggregate and thus failed to qualify.

In 1961, Morocco held the Pan-Arab Games and won the football tournament, winning all five of their matches. Their third match, against Saudi Arabia, resulted in Morocco's biggest-ever victory, winning 13–1. They also claimed their first two wins against a European team, beating East Germany 2–1 and 2–0.

In 1963, the Moroccan team came close to qualifying for the African Cup of Nations. In the decisive play-off against Tunisia, they were defeated 4–1 in Tunis and won 4–2 at home, they were therefore eliminated. At the Mediterranean Games in Naples 1963, they finished fourth after a 2–1 defeat in the final for third place against Spain's reserve team.

First appearances in international competitions (1963–1976)

Morocco vs Netherlands in 1964

Morocco participated for the first time in the final phase of an international competition at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Having qualified under the leadership of manager Mohamed Massoun, the Moroccans were included in a group of three teams due to the withdrawal of North Korea. Morocco lost both their matches, against Hungary (6–0, the team's worst-ever defeat) and Yugoslavia (3–1, despite taking the lead in the second minute via Ali Bouachra).

In 1966, the Moroccan Football Association joined the Confederation of African Football and was able to participate in the competitions organized by the CAF.

During qualifying for the 1968 Olympics, Morocco refused to play against Israel, and were eventually replaced by Ghana.

In 1968 and 1969, the team was engaged in qualifying for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Their debut eliminated Senegal (1–0) and Tunisia after a draw. In the final round of the preliminaries, against Sudan and Nigeria, Morocco obtained five points, finishing ahead of Nigeria and qualifying for the first time for the final round of a world championship. Shortly after, Morocco lost the decisive play-off against Algeria to enter the final stage of the 1970 Africa Cup of Nations.

Morocco thus became the first African national team to qualify for a world championship after having played in an elimination tournament. The Moroccan team, coached by the Yugoslav Blagoje Vidinić, consisted entirely of players in the Moroccan league, including Driss Bamous and Ahmed Faras.

On 3 June 1970, against West Germany, Morocco surprisingly opened the scoring with a goal in the twenty-first minute of the game scored by Houmane Jarir. In the second half, however, the West Germans scored with Uwe Seeler and Gerd Müller and won by 2–1. The Lions of the Atlas then played against Peru. This time the Moroccans conceded three goals in ten minutes to lose 3–0. On 11 June 1970, the eliminated Moroccans drew with Bulgaria 1–1, with a comeback goal in the sixtieth game of Maouhoub Ghazouani. It was the first point obtained by an African national team at the World Cup.

In the 1972 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, the Lions of the Atlas ousted Algeria, then they faced Egypt, beating them 3–0 in the first leg and suffering a 3–2 defeat on the way back, yet they qualified for the first time for the final phase of the continental tournament. In the group stage, they accumulated three 1–1 draws against Congo, Sudan and Zaire and were eliminated in the first round. All three Moroccan goals were by Ahmed Faras.

Qualifying for the 1972 Olympics with two wins and two draws, Morocco debuted in Group A with a goalless draw against the United States, then lost 3–0 against hosts West Germany and defeated Malaysia 6–0 with a Faras hat-trick, thereby advancing to the second round. Due to defeats against USSR (3–0), Denmark (3–1) and Poland (5–0), they were eliminated from the tournament; finishing bottom of their group. To date, this result remains the best performance of the Atlas Lions at the Olympic football tournament.

In the 1974 world cup qualifiers, Morocco successfully passed three qualifying rounds before entering the final round alongside Zambia and Zaire. Losing 4–0 away against Zambia, the Moroccans bounced back in the second game, defeating the same opponent 2–0 at home. They then went to Zaire for their third game but lost 3–0, conceding all three goals in the second half, with Faras leaving the field due to injury. Morocco filed an appeal, trying to get the match to be replayed; it was dismissed by FIFA. In protest, Morocco withdrew from the qualifiers causing the Atlas Lions to miss their final game at home against Zaire which had already qualified for the finals, with FIFA awarding Zaire a 2–0 win on walkover. For the same reason, Morocco also decided not to take part in the 1974 African Cup of Nations qualification.

In 1974, Morocco played only two games, both against Algeria, achieving a 2–0 win and a 0–0 draw. Morocco then resumed its regular FIFA and CAF competitions, qualifying for the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations by eliminating Ghana in the last round, but failed to qualify for the 1976 Olympics, being eliminated by Nigeria.

Between successes and defeats (1976–1986)

Morocco, coached by the Romanian Virgil Mărdărescu and captained by Faras, took the continental throne at 1976 African Cup of Nations, in his second participation in the competition. Ahmed Makrouh scored the goal of the final match to equalize at 1–1, which gave Morocco the first, and to date, only cup in its history.

After failing to qualify for the 1974 FIFA World Cup, they also did not make 1978 and 1982. At the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations, they were eliminated in the first round, while at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations they won third place, beating Egypt 2–0. They then won the 1983 Mediterranean Games, played at home, thanks to a 3–0 success in the final against Turkey B.

Morocco did not qualify for either the 1982 or 1984 Africa Cup of Nations. At the 1986 Africa Cup of Nations, they finished fourth, beaten 3–2 in the consolation final by the Ivory Coast.

Golden Generation (1986–2000)

Morocco qualified for the 1986 FIFA World Cup which took place in Mexico, and surprisingly won a group with Portugal, England and Poland, thanks to two draws against the English and Polish and a 3–1 win against the Portuguese. However, they were narrowly eliminated by West Germany in the first knockout round, thanks to a goal from Lothar Matthäus one minute from the end of regulation time. Morocco became the first African and Arab national team to have passed the first round of the World Cup.

Two years later, the Moroccan team presented itself at the 1988 African Cup of Nations as a host country with high expectations. After winning the first round, they were eliminated in the semifinals by Cameroon and finished in fourth place after losing the consolation final against Algeria (1–1 after extra time and 4–3 after the penalty shots).

Failure to qualify for the 1990 FIFA World Cup opened a period of crisis. In the 1992 African Cup of Nations, the team was eliminated in the first round. They then did not participate in the 1994 or 1996 African Cup tournaments. They, however, did qualify for the 1994 World Cup in the United States and the 1998 tournament in France.

At the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations, after winning their group, Morocco were defeated and eliminated from South Africa (2–1).

Difficult years (2006–2017)

Morocco national football team in 2011

Morocco took part in the 2004 African Cup of Nations, drawn into Group D defeating Nigeria 1–0, defeating Benin 4–0 and drawing 1–1 with South Africa. Morocco qualified to the knockout stages, facing Algeria; they eventually won 3–1 in extra time, and 4–0 against Mali in the semi-final. They lost the 2004 African Cup of Nations Final against Tunisia 2–1.

In 2012, the national team won the Arab Cup, topping their group, defeating Iraq in the semi-final and Libya in the final.

In 2014, Morocco participated for the first time in the African Nations Championship after failing to qualify in the 2009 and 2011 editions. led by coach Hassan Benabicha, Morocco did not make it past the second round after losing 3–4 to Nigeria in the Quarter-finals. They managed to qualify for the 2016 African Nations Championship, but were eliminated in the group stages.

Morocco hosted the 2018 African Nations Championship, which included a victory for the home nation, the third North African country to win the competition's title.

Second Golden Generation (2017–present)

Morocco starting 11 against Iran in the 2018 World Cup

Morocco returned to the World Cup after a 20-year absence in 2018. The North Africans were drawn in Group B with World Cup favourites Spain, Portugal, and Iran. In their opening game against Iran, Morocco showed full dedication but lost 1–0 in the final minutes of the match, scored by an own goal. In their second game, Morocco faced Portugal but ended losing 1–0 by a goal scored by Cristiano Ronaldo. In the last match against Spain they took the lead 2–1 but was unable to keep it, and drew 2–2, scored by Khalid Boutaïb and Youssef En-Nesyri.

Morocco entered the 2019 AFCON with high confidence and players claiming them to be the favorite to win. However, in spite of three straight group stage wins, Morocco were shockingly knocked out by Benin in the round of sixteen.

At the 2020 African Nations Championship in Cameroon, Morocco won their second CHAN title, in its second consecutive final appearance. Captained by Ayoub El Kaabi, they defeated Togo (1–0), Rwanda (0–0), the Uganda (5–2), Zambia (3–1), and Cameroon (4–0) on the way to a final against Mali in Yaoundé. Morocco won 2–0, with both goals scored late into the second half by Soufiane Bouftini and Ayoub El Kaabi. Morocco thus became the first team to win back-to-back titles. Soufiane Rahimi went on to be named Total Man of the tournament after an astonishing performance scoring a total of 5 goals.

In December 2021, Morocco started its venture at the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup's Group C, along with Jordan, Palestine and Saudi Arabia. Morocco opened the tournament with a 4–0 win against Palestine, Morocco then managed to overcome a highly defensive Jordan with another 4–0 triumph, They won their final match in a 1–0 victory against Saudi Arabia. they were eliminated in the quarter-final after penalty-shootout against Algeria.

After easily topping their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification group which consisted of Mauritania, Burundi, and Central African Republic, Morocco were one of the favorites to win the 2021 edition of the tournament hosted in Cameroon. Morocco were drawn into group E that included Gabon, Ghana and Comoros. Morocco won its first game against Ghana scored by Sofiane Boufal in the final minutes of the game. In their second game against Comoros, they claimed a 2–0 victory. Their final match against Gabon ended in a draw, making Morocco reach the round of 16 after ending up first in the group. They defeated Malawi 2–1 in the round of 16. They were eliminated in the quarter-final after a 2–1 loss against Egypt.

After qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup by winning the CAF third round African qualifiers, the team was drawn in Group F along with Croatia, Belgium, and Canada. Morocco were not expected to qualify, but after holding previous runners-up Croatia to a 0–0 draw and shocking previous third place Belgium 2–0, a 2–1 win over Canada meant they finished top of the group and advanced to the round of 16 for the first time since 1986. In the round of 16, they met Spain, drawing 0–0. In the subsequent penalty shootout, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved two penalties, and Achraf Hakimi scored the decisive penalty with a panenka penalty for Morocco to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time. They advanced further to the semi-finals winning against favourite Portugal, 1–0. That made Morocco the first African and Arab team to qualify for the semi-finals.

However, they lost to France in the semi-final, 2–0 on 14 December at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, putting an end to Morocco's World Cup run. They played Croatia in the third place play-off on 17 December at the Khalifa International Stadium in Ar-Rayyan, a rematch of the earlier group stage meeting. They lost 2–1 to the latter, and ended their World Cup campaign at fourth place. The team would go on to donate their entire World Cup earnings from the tournament to charities within Morocco that help with poverty that affects children and families in the country.

Home stadium

At the time of the Cherifian Empire, the Philip stadium was the largest Moroccan stadium. Its capacity was 25,000 seats. In the fifties, a new stadium was built under the name of the Casablancan boxer "Marcel Cerdan" after the boxing world champion (who was nicknamed the Moroccan clouter for his hard punches and had died in a plane crash accident in 1949). By 1981 Marcel Cerdan stadium was renamed Mohammed V complex after an Olympic swimming pool and an omnisports arena was added next to it, Stade d'honneur de Casablanca (nicknamed "Donor" by the people of Casablanca). The stadium will mainly be used by the Moroccan team as well as by the two main clubs of Casablanca: Wydad AC and Raja CA. The stadium then underwent a major renovation in order to be able to host the 1983 Mediterranean Games in Casablanca towards the end of the 1970s. It reopened in 1983 under its current name, Stade Mohammed V, and then had 80,000 seats before being limited to 67,000 seats following a new renovation in view of Morocco's bid to host the World Cup in 2000. Between 2016 and 2019, the Mohammed V stadium underwent major renovation and modernization works. Its capacity was reduced again and today the stadium has 45,891 all-seated capacity.

The Grand Complex of Rabat was inaugurated in 1983 under the name of Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The national team also plays several matches there. The Rabat stadium could then accommodate 65,000 spectators but it was mainly used by the two local teams of Far Rabat and FUS Rabat. Its capacity was reduced to 53,000 seats in 2000 and then to 45,800 seats in 2020. It is currently the stadium of Morocco's national football team.

From 2011, the Atlas Lions played most of their matches in the new Marrakesh Stadium, which has a capacity of 45,240 seats. The latter is considered to bring luck to the Moroccan team, which won several important matches there in front of a large audience, notably beating Algeria for the qualifications for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations football by 4–0, and Tanzania by 3–1 allowing Morocco the qualification, then another important meeting against Mozambique ending in a crushing victory on the score of 4–0, allowing this time, the qualification for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

During the period of coach Badou Ezzaki between 2014 and 2016, the Moroccan national team played most of its matches at the Adrar stadium in Agadir, which has a capacity of 45,480, and also a friendly match was played in it during the period of Hervé Renard between Morocco and the Netherlands in 2017, and it is considered the most prominent match for Morocco that was played in this stadium.

Morocco also has other large stadiums built in the 2000s such as the one in Fez Stadium which has 45,000 seats and which hosts the two clubs of the city: MAS Fez and Wydad de Fès.

Kit suppliers

Morocco's home colours are most red shirts and green shorts and socks, away colours are usually all white or all green.

Kit provider Period
Adidas 1976–1993
Lotto 1994–1997
Puma 1998–2002
Nike 2003–2006
Puma 2007–2011
Adidas 2012–2019
Puma 2019–

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

25 March Friendly Morocco 2–1 Brazil Tangier, Morocco
22:00 UTC+1
  • Boufal 29'
  • Sabiri 79'
Report
Stadium: Ibn Batouta Stadium
Attendance: 63,500
Referee: Sadek Selmi (Tunisia)
28 March Friendly Morocco 0–0 Peru Madrid, Spain
20:30 UTC±0 Report Stadium: Metropolitano Stadium
Attendance: 32,000
Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera (Spain)
12 June Friendly Morocco 0–0 Cape Verde Rabat, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
Attendance: 55,500
Referee: Mahamadou Kéïta (Mali)
17 June 2023 AFCON qualification South Africa 2–1 Morocco Johannesburg, South Africa
17:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Soccer City
Referee: Alhadi Allaou Mahamat (Chad)
12 September Friendly Morocco 1–0 Burkina Faso Lens, France
19:30 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Stade Bollaert-Delelis
Referee: Jérémie Pignard (France)
14 October Friendly Ivory Coast 1–1 Morocco Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Report
Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium
17 October 2023 AFCON qualification Morocco 3–0 Liberia Agadir, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Adrar Stadium
Referee: Ahmad Imtehaz Heeralall (Mauritius)
Note: Match postponed from 9 September due to the 2023 Marrakesh-Safi earthquake.
16 November 2023 2026 World Cup qualification Morocco Cancelled Eritrea Agadir, Morocco
Stadium: Stade Adrar
Note: Eritrea withdrew from the qualifiers before the first matches were played.
21 November 2023 2026 World Cup qualification Tanzania 0-2 Morocco Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
22:00 UTC+3 Report
Mwaikenda (o.g.)
Stadium: Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium
Attendance: 45,394
Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)

2024

7 January 2024 Friendly Morocco Cancelled Gambia Salé, Morocco
Report Stadium: Mohammed VI Football Complex
17 January 2024 2023 AFCON GS Morocco v Tanzania San Pédro, Ivory Coast
17:00 UTC±0 Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium
21 January 2024 2023 AFCON GS Morocco v DR Congo San Pédro, Ivory Coast
14:00 UTC±0 Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium
24 January 2024 2023 AFCON GS Zambia v Morocco San Pédro, Ivory Coast
20:00 UTC±0 Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium
June 2024 2026 World Cup qualification Morocco v Zambia TBD, Morocco
Stadium: TBD
June 2024 2026 World Cup qualification Congo v Morocco TBD, Congo
Stadium: TBD

Coaching staff

Position Name
Head coach Walid Regragui
Assistant coach Rachid Benmahmoud
Gharib Amzine
Goalkeeping coach Houcine Mouelhi
Fitness coach Aymen Chabane
Video Analyst Moussa El Habachi
Technical director Abdelilah Moussaoui
Fathi Jamal

Coaching history

As of 20 December 2022

Players

Current squad

The following 27 players were called up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Caps and goals are correct as of November 21st, 2023 after the match against Tanzania.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 GK Yassine Bounou 5 April 1991 58 0 Al-Hilal
12 GK Munir Mohamedi 10 May 1989 46 0 Al-Wehda
28 GK Mehdi Benabid 24 January 1998 0 0 AS FAR

2 DF Achraf Hakimi 4 November 1998 68 8 Paris Saint-Germain
3 DF Noussair Mazraoui 14 November 1997 27 2 Bayern Munich
5 DF Nayef Aguerd 30 March 1996 34 1 West Ham United
6 DF Romain Saïss (captain) 26 March 1990 79 2 Al Shabab
18 DF Chadi Riad 17 July 2003 0 0 Real Betis
22 DF Abdel Abqar 10 March 1999 0 0 Alavés
25 DF Yahia Attiyat Allah 2 March 1995 15 0 Wydad AC
27 DF Yunis Abdelhamid 28 July 1987 13 0 Reims
32 DF Mohamed Chibi 21 January 1993 1 0 Pyramids

4 MF Sofyan Amrabat 21 August 1996 50 0 Manchester United
8 MF Azzedine Ounahi 19 April 2000 21 3 Marseille
10 MF Amine Harit 18 June 1997 20 1 Marseille
11 MF Ismael Saibari 28 January 2001 4 0 PSV Eindhoven
15 MF Selim Amallah 15 November 1996 33 4 Valencia
17 MF Oussama El Azzouzi 29 May 2001 1 0 Bologna
23 MF Bilal El Khannous 10 May 2004 7 0 Genk
24 MF Amir Richardson 24 January 2002 3 0 Reims

7 FW Hakim Ziyech 19 March 1993 55 21 Galatasaray
9 FW Tarik Tissoudali 2 April 1993 13 2 Gent
16 FW Abde Ezzalzouli 17 December 2001 11 0 Real Betis
17 FW Sofiane Boufal 17 September 1993 42 7 Al-Rayyan
19 FW Youssef En-Nesyri 1 June 1997 65 17 Sevilla
20 FW Ayoub El Kaabi 25 June 1993 27 10 Olympiacos
21 FW Amine Adli 10 May 2000 4 1 Bayer Leverkusen

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team in the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Youssef El Motie 16 December 1994 0 0 Wydad AC v. Burkina Faso, 12 September 2023
GK Rachid Ghanimi 25 April 2001 0 0 FUS Rabat v. South Africa, 17 June 2023
GK Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti 5 April 1996 3 0 MAS v. Brazil, 25 March 2023 INJ

DF Jawad El Yamiq 29 February 1992 18 2 Al Wehda v. Tanzania, 21 November 2023
DF Ayoub El Amloud 8 April 1994 1 0 Wydad AC v. Tanzania, 21 November 2023
DF Achraf Dari 6 May 1999 7 1 Brest v. South Africa, 17 June 2023
DF Ismaël Kandouss 12 November 1997 1 0 Gent v. South Africa, 17 June 2023
DF Fahd Moufi 5 May 1996 0 0 Hajduk v. South Africa, 17 June 2023
DF Adam Masina 2 January 1994 16 0 Udinese v. Cape Verde, 12 June 2023 INJ
DF Ayoub Amraoui 14 May 2004 0 0 Nice v. Peru, 28 March 2023

MF Yahya Jabrane 18 June 1991 8 0 Wydad AC v. Tanzania, 21 November 2023
MF Benjamin Bouchouari 13 November 2001 0 0 Saint-Étienne v. Tanzania, 21 November 2023
MF Imran Louza 1 May 1999 15 2 Watford v. South Africa, 17 June 2023
MF Ilias Chair 30 October 1997 12 1 Queens Park Rangers v. South Africa, 17 June 2023
MF Abdelhamid Sabiri 28 November 1996 11 2 Al-Fayha v. South Africa, 17 June 2023
MF Youssef Maleh 22 August 1998 1 0 Empoli v. South Africa, 17 June 2023
MF Yassine Kechta 25 February 2002 0 0 Le Havre v. Brazil, 25 March 2023

FW Sofiane Diop 9 June 2000 0 0 Nice v. Tanzania, 21 November 2023
FW Ibrahim Salah 30 August 2001 0 0 Rennes v. Liberia, 17 October 2023
FW Zakaria Aboukhlal 18 February 2000 17 3 Toulouse v. Burkina Faso, 12 September 2023INJ
FW Abderrazak Hamdallah 17 December 1990 24 6 Al-Ittihad v. Burkina Faso, 12 September 2023
FW Walid Cheddira 22 January 1998 6 0 Frosinone v. Burkina Faso, 12 September 2023
FW Oussama Idrissi 26 February 1996 9 0 Pachuca v. South Africa, 17 June 2023
FW Anass Zaroury 7 November 2000 4 0 Burnley v. South Africa, 17 June 2023

DEC Player declined the call-up to the squad
INJ Did not make it to the current squad due to injury
PRE Preliminary squad / standby
RET Player retired from internationals
SUS Player is suspended
WD Player withdrew from the roster for non-injury related reasons

Previous squads

Player records

As of 21 November 2023
Players in bold are still active with Morocco.

Most appearances

Noureddine Naybet is Morocco's most capped player with 115 appearances
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Noureddine Naybet 115 4 1990–2006
2 Ahmed Faras 94 36 1966–1979
3 Youssef Safri 79 8 1999–2009
Romain Saïss 2 2012–present
5 Houssine Kharja 78 12 2004–2015
Ezzaki Badou 0 1979–1992
7 Abdelmajid Dolmy 76 2 1973–1988
8 Youssef Chippo 73 9 1996–2006
Mohamed Hazzaz 0 1969–1979
10 Abdelkrim El Hadrioui 72 4 1992–2001

Top goalscorers

Ahmed Faras is Morocco's top scorer with 36 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Ahmed Faras 36 94 0.38 1966–1979
2 Salaheddine Bassir 27 59 0.46 1994–2002
3 Hakim Ziyech 21 55 0.38 2015–present
4 Abdeljalil Hadda 19 48 0.4 1995–2002
5 Hassan Amcharrat 18 39 0.46 1971–1979
Marouane Chamakh 65 0.28 2003–2014
7 Abdeslam Laghrissi 17 35 0.49 1984–1995
Youssef En-Nesyri 65 0.26 2016–present
9 Youssef El-Arabi 16 46 0.36 2010–present
Youssouf Hadji 64 0.25 2003–2012

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

Morocco's national football team has participated six times in the FIFA World Cup. Their best performance was in the 2022 FIFA World Cup where they finished in fourth place, becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 Protectorate of France Protectorate of France
1934
1938
1950
1954
1958 Did not enter Did not enter
1962 Did not qualify 7 2 2 3 7 8
1966 Withdrew Withdrew
1970 Group stage 14th 3 0 1 2 2 6 10 4 4 2 11 7
1974 Did not qualify 10 4 3 3 12 13
1978 2 0 2 0 2 2
1982 8 3 2 3 5 6
1986 Round of 16 11th 4 1 2 1 3 2 8 5 2 1 12 1
1990 Did not qualify 6 1 3 2 4 5
1994 Group stage 23rd 3 0 0 3 2 5 10 7 2 1 19 4
1998 18th 3 1 1 1 5 5 6 5 1 0 14 2
2002 Did not qualify 10 6 3 1 11 3
2006 10 5 5 0 17 7
2010 10 3 3 4 14 13
2014 6 2 3 1 9 8
2018 Group stage 27th 3 0 1 2 2 4 8 4 3 1 13 1
2022 Fourth place 4th 7 3 2 2 6 5 8 7 1 0 25 3
2026 To be determined To be determined
2030 Qualified as co-hosts Qualified as co-hosts
2034 To be determined To be determined
Total Fourth place 6/26 23 5 7 11 20 27 119 58 39 22 175 83

Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1957 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
1959
1962 Withdrew Withdrew
1963 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 5 6
1965 Did not enter Did not enter
1968
1970 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 1 2
1972 Group stage 5th 3 0 3 0 3 3 4 2 0 2 9 6
1974 Did not enter Did not enter
1976 Champions 1st 6 4 2 0 11 6 6 4 0 2 13 4
1978 Group stage 6th 3 1 1 1 2 4 Qualified as defending champions
1980 Third place 3rd 5 2 1 2 4 3 4 2 1 1 14 5
1982 Did not qualify 4 3 0 1 8 4
1984 4 1 2 1 4 2
1986 Fourth place 4th 5 1 2 2 4 5 2 1 1 0 1 0
1988 Fourth place 4th 5 1 3 1 3 3 Qualified as hosts
1990 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 4
1992 Group stage 9th 2 0 1 1 1 2 6 4 0 2 11 4
1994 Did not qualify 6 2 2 2 5 4
1996 4 1 1 2 2 4
1998 Quarter-finals 6th 4 2 1 1 6 3 6 4 2 0 10 1
2000 Group stage 11th 3 1 1 1 1 2 4 2 2 0 6 4
2002 9th 3 1 1 1 3 4 6 3 1 2 5 4
2004 Runners-up 2nd 6 4 1 1 14 4 6 5 1 0 10 0
2006 Group stage 13th 3 0 2 1 0 1 10 5 5 0 17 7
2008 11th 3 1 0 2 7 6 4 3 1 0 6 1
2010 Did not qualify 10 3 3 4 14 13
2012 Group stage 12th 3 1 0 2 4 5 6 3 2 1 8 2
2013 10th 3 0 3 0 3 3 2 1 0 1 4 2
2015 Disqualified Originally qualified as hosts, then disqualified
2017 Quarter-finals 7th 4 2 0 2 4 3 6 5 1 0 10 1
2019 Round of 16 9th 4 3 1 0 4 1 6 3 2 1 8 3
2021 Quarter-finals 5th 5 3 1 1 8 5 6 4 2 0 10 1
2023 Qualified 4 3 0 1 8 3
2025 Qualified as hosts Qualified as hosts
2027 To be determined To be determined
Total 1 Title 20/36 70 27 24 19 82 63 122 66 31 25 190 84

African Nations Championship

African Nations Championship Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
2009 Did not qualify 4 1 2 1 5 6
2011 2 0 2 0 3 3
2014 Quarter-finals 8th 4 1 2 1 7 6 2 1 1 0 1 0
2016 Group stage 10th 3 1 1 1 4 2 4 3 1 0 11 3
2018 Champions 1st 6 5 1 0 16 2 2 1 1 0 4 2
2020 Champions 1st 6 5 1 0 15 3 2 1 1 0 3 0
2022 Withdrew Qualified
Total 2 titles 4/6 19 12 5 2 42 13 16 7 8 1 27 14

Olympic games

Summer Olympics
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
18961908 Not affiliated
19081956 Protectorat of France
1960 Did not qualify
1964 Round 1 13 2 0 0 2 1 9
1968 Qualified, but withdrew
1972 Round 2 8 6 1 1 4 7 14
1976 Did not qualify
1980
1984 Round 1 12 3 1 0 2 1 4
1988 Did not qualify
Since 1992 See Morocco national under-23 football team
Total Round 2 7/26 23 3 5 15 17 48
  • Football at the Summer Olympics has been an under-23 tournament since the 1992 edition.

All-Africa Games

All-Africa Games
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1965 Did not enter
1973
1978
1987
1991
1995
1999
2003
2007
2011
2015
2019 Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 3 4
2023 To be determined
All Total Group stage 1/12 3 1 1 1 3 4

Mediterranean Games

1951 to 1987 senior teams, from 1991 youth teams.

Mediterranean Games
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1951 Did not enter
1955
1959
1963 Fourth place 4th 4 2 0 2 4 6
1967 Group stage 7th 3 1 0 2 4 6
1971 Disqualified
1975 Fourth place 4th 5 1 4 0 3 2
1979 Group stage 6th 3 0 2 1 2 3
1983 Gold Medal 1st 4 3 1 0 8 2
1987 Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 2 2
Since 1991 See Morocco national under-23 football team or Morocco national under-20 football team
Total 2 Title 7/10 22 8 8 6 23 21

Arab Games

Arab Games
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1953 Did not enter
1957 Fourth place 4th 4 2 2 0 12 6
1961 Gold Medal 1st 5 5 0 0 26 6
1965 Did not enter
1976 Gold Medal 1st 6 4 2 0 12 0
1985 Silver Medal 2nd 5 3 1 1 9 3
1992 Did not enter
1997
1999
2004 No football tournament
2007 Did not enter
2011
2023
Total 2 titles 4/12 20 14 5 1 59 15

FIFA Arab Cup

FIFA Arab Cup
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1963 Did not participate
1964
1966
1985
1988
1992
1998 Group stage 5th 2 1 0 1 2 2
2002 Third place 3rd 5 1 2 2 5 6
2009 Cancelled
2012 Champions 1st 5 4 1 0 11 2
2021 Quarter-finals 5th 4 3 1 0 11 2
Total 1 Title 4/10 16 9 4 3 29 12

Minor tournaments

Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1958 Djamila Bouhired Tournament Third place 3rd 2 1 0 1 3 3
1964 Tripoli Fair Tournament Third place 3rd 4 2 0 2 5 5
1965 World Military Cup Third place 3rd 3 1 1 1 3 5
1965 Tripoli Fair Tournament Third place 3rd 3 1 1 1 2 1
1966 World Military Cup Runners-up 2nd 3 0 1 2 1 4
1966 Tripoli Fair Tournament Winners 1st 4 3 0 1 4 5
1967 World Military Cup Third place 3rd - - - - - -
1974 Kuneitra Cup Winners 1st 7 6 1 0 16 5
1980 Merdeka Tournament Winners 1st 8 5 2 1 15 7
1982 Beijing International Friendship Tournaments Winners 1st 5 1 4 0 7 6
1985 Nehru Cup Semi-finals 3rd 4 2 1 1 7 3
1987 President's Cup Football Tournament Group stage 6th 5 2 0 3 6 6
1988 Tournoi de France Runners-up 2nd 2 1 0 1 4 3
1989 World Military Cup Runners-up 2nd 3 1 1 1 3 4
1993 World Military Cup Runners-up 2nd 5 4 0 1 16 5
1994 Friendship Tournament Runners-up 2nd 3 1 2 0 4 3
1996 Friendship Tournament Runners-up 2nd 3 1 1 1 4 3
1996 King Hassan II International Cup Tournament Third place 3rd 2 1 1 0 4 2
1998 King Hassan II International Cup Tournament Third place 3rd 2 0 1 1 2 3
1998 African Military Cup Fourth place 4th - - - - - -
1999 LG Cup (Morocco) Runners-up 2nd 2 1 0 1 2 2
2000 King Hassan II International Cup Tournament Runners-up 2nd 2 1 0 1 2 5
2001 Friendship Tournament Winners 1st 3 1 2 0 6 4
2002 LG Cup (Morocco) Third place 3rd 2 1 1 0 2 0
2002 LG Cup (Iran) Third place 3rd 2 0 2 0 1 1
2004 Qatar International Friendship Tournament Winners 1st 5 4 0 1 9 4
2011 LG Cup (Morocco) Third place 3rd 2 0 1 1 1 2
2015 Toulon Tournament Runners-up 2nd 5 2 2 1 9 7
Total 6 Titles 28/28 91 43 25 23 138 98

Head-to-head performance

Correct as of 21 November 2023.

Team Confederation GP W D L GF GA GD Win% Loss%
Albania UEFA 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% 0%
Algeria CAF 36 11 12 9 31 32 +22 47.22% 19.44%
Angola CAF 7 4 2 1 11 7 +4 57.14% 14.29%
Argentina CONMEBOL 1 0 0 1 0 5 −5 0% 100%
Armenia UEFA 1 1 0 0 6 0 +6 100% 0%
Australia AFC 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0% 100%
Austria UEFA 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2 100% 0%
Bahrain AFC 2 2 0 0 5 0 +5 100% 0%
Belgium UEFA 4 2 0 2 6 6 0 50% 50%
Benin CAF 6 5 1 0 20 3 +17 83.33% 0%
Botswana CAF 2 2 0 0 2 0 +2 100% 0%
Brazil CONMEBOL 4 1 0 3 2 8 −6 25% 75%
Bulgaria UEFA 6 2 3 1 10 5 +5 33.33% 16.67%
Burkina Faso CAF 12 8 2 2 17 6 +11 66.67% 16.67%
Burundi CAF 2 2 0 0 4 0 +4 100% 0%
Cameroon CAF 13 2 5 6 10 12 −2 15.38% 46.15%
Canada CONCACAF 4 3 1 0 10 4 +6 75% 0%
Cape Verde CAF 4 2 2 0 4 1 +3 50% 0%
Central African Republic CAF 5 3 2 0 10 1 +9 60% 0%
Chile CONMEBOL 2 1 1 0 3 1 +2 50% 0%
China AFC 1 0 1 0 3 3 0 0% 0%
Colombia CONMEBOL 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 0% 100%
Comoros CAF 3 2 1 0 5 2 +3 66.67% 0%
Congo CAF 5 3 2 0 6 2 +4 60% 0%
Costa Rica CONCACAF 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100% 0%
Croatia UEFA 3 0 2 1 3 4 −1 0% 33.33%
Czech Republic UEFA 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% 0%
Denmark UEFA 2 1 0 1 5 5 0 50% 50%
DR Congo CAF 16 5 8 3 22 11 +11 31.25% 18.75%
East Germany UEFA 4 3 0 1 8 5 +3 75% 25%
Egypt CAF 30 14 12 4 35 18 +17 46.67% 13.33%
England UEFA 2 0 1 1 0 1 −1 0% 50%
Equatorial Guinea CAF 5 4 0 1 10 2 +2 80% 20%
Estonia UEFA 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2 100% 0%
Ethiopia CAF 7 7 0 0 16 0 +16 100% 0%
Finland UEFA 2 0 1 1 0 1 −1 0% 50%
France UEFA 6 0 2 4 6 14 −8 0% 66.67%
Gabon CAF 19 9 4 6 38 20 +18 47.37% 31.58%
Gambia CAF 8 6 1 1 14 2 +12 75% 12.5%
Georgia UEFA 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 100% 0%
Germany UEFA 6 0 0 6 3 17 −14 0% 100%
Ghana CAF 11 5 3 3 8 8 0 45.45% 27.27%
Greece UEFA 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% 0%
Guinea CAF 14 6 6 2 19 12 +7 42.86% 14.29%
Guinea-Bissau CAF 2 2 0 0 8 0 +8 100% 0%
Hong Kong AFC 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% 0%
Hungary UEFA 3 0 0 3 2 12 −10 0% 100%
India AFC 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100% 0%
Indonesia AFC 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 100% 0%
Iran AFC 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0% 100%
Iraq AFC 10 3 4 3 6 10 −4 30% 30%
Italy UEFA 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0% 100%
Ivory Coast CAF 22 7 8 7 28 26 +2 31.82% 31.82%
Jamaica CONCACAF 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100% 0%
Jordan AFC 4 4 0 0 12 2 +10 100% 0%
Kenya CAF 5 3 2 0 10 2 +8 60% 0%
Kuwait AFC 6 3 2 1 14 9 +5 50% 16.67%
Lebanon AFC 3 2 0 1 5 2 +3 66.67% 33.33%
Liberia CAF 5 4 0 1 14 3 +11 80% 20%
Libya CAF 20 10 6 4 34 18 +16 50% 20%
Luxembourg UEFA 3 3 0 0 6 1 +5 100% 0%
Malawi CAF 11 7 3 1 17 4 +13 63.64% 9.09%
Malaysia AFC 3 1 1 1 3 4 -1 50% 50%
Mali CAF 20 9 6 5 33 12 +21 45% 25%
Malta UEFA 3 2 1 0 7 4 +3 66.67% 0%
Mauritania CAF 10 7 3 0 27 5 +22 70% 0%
Mexico CONCACAF 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 100% 0%
Mozambique CAF 4 3 0 1 11 2 +9 75% 25%
Myanmar AFC 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 0% 0%
Namibia CAF 7 6 1 0 15 2 +13 85.71% 0%
Netherlands UEFA 3 1 0 2 4 5 −1 33.33% 66.67%
New Zealand OFC 2 2 0 0 6 0 +6 100% 0%
Niger CAF 7 6 0 1 16 2 +14 85.71% 14.29%
Nigeria CAF 11 6 2 3 14 8 +6 54.55% 27.27%
Northern Ireland UEFA 2 0 1 1 2 3 −1 0% 50%
Norway UEFA 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 0% 0%
Oman AFC 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% 0%
Palestine AFC 2 2 0 0 7 0 +7 100% 0%
Paraguay CONMEBOL 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% 0%
Peru CONMEBOL 2 0 1 1 0 3 −3 0% 50%
Poland UEFA 5 1 2 2 3 9 −6 20% 40%
Portugal UEFA 3 2 0 1 4 2 +2 66.67% 33.33%
Qatar AFC 2 1 1 0 1 0 +1 50% 0%
Republic of Ireland UEFA 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0% 100%
Romania UEFA 2 1 0 1 3 5 −2 50% 50%
Russia UEFA 4 0 1 3 3 7 −4 0% 75%
Rwanda CAF 4 2 1 1 7 4 +3 50% 25%
São Tomé and Príncipe CAF 2 2 0 0 5 0 +5 100% 0%
Saudi Arabia AFC 8 3 2 3 17 7 +10 37.5% 37.5%
Scotland UEFA 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 100% 0%
Senegal CAF 30 17 6 7 41 18 +23 56.67% 23.33%
Serbia UEFA 6 1 1 4 5 12 −7 16.67% 66.67%
Sierra Leone CAF 7 6 1 0 14 0 +14 85.71% 0%
Singapore AFC 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100% 0%
Slovakia UEFA 2 2 0 0 4 2 0 100% 0%
Somalia CAF 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 100% 0%
South Africa CAF 8 2 3 3 10 12 −2 25% 37.5%
South Korea AFC 6 1 4 1 10 9 +1 16.67% 16.67%
South Yemen AFC 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4 100% 0%
Spain UEFA 4 0 2 2 4 6 −2 0% 50%
Sudan CAF 7 3 4 0 9 3 0 42.86% 0%
Switzerland UEFA 3 3 0 0 6 2 +4 100% 0%
Syria AFC 3 3 0 0 6 0 +6 100% 0%
Tanzania CAF 5 4 0 1 9 5 +4 80% 20%
Thailand AFC 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 100% 0%
Togo CAF 12 6 3 3 22 11 +11 50% 25%
Trinidad and Tobago CONCACAF 3 3 0 0 4 0 +4 100% 0%
Tunisia CAF 50 13 28 9 53 46 +7 26% 18%
Uganda CAF 4 2 0 2 10 8 +2 50% 50%
Ukraine UEFA 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% 0%
United Arab Emirates AFC 5 2 2 1 6 4 +2 40% 20%
Uruguay CONMEBOL 2 0 0 2 0 2 −2 0% 100%
United States CONCACAF 5 3 1 1 6 5 +1 60% 20%
Uzbekistan AFC 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 100% 0%
Yemen AFC 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4 100% 0%
Zambia CAF 18 10 2 6 23 18 +5 55.56% 33.33%
Zimbabwe CAF 5 3 2 0 6 2 +4 60% 0%
Total () %
Notes
  1. Includes West Germany
  2. Includes Soviet Union
  3. Includes Yugoslavia

Honours

Awards

African National Team of the Year

  • 1st place, gold medalist(s) First place: 1985, 1986, 1997, 2023
  • 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Second place: 1993, 1998, 2003, 2004
  • 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) Third place: 1980

FIFA Best Mover of the Year

  • 1st place, gold medalist(s) First place: 2022
  • 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) Third place: 1993

Orders and decorations

See also

Other football codes