Morocco’s Atlas Lions: reshuffled squad expected with key absences and fresh faces

Morocco’s next national team call-up is shaping up to be turbulent, with an Atlas Lions reshuffled squad marked by key absences and the likely arrival of several new faces.

World Cup regulars ruled out by injury

Expected in mid-September, head coach Mohamed Ouahbi’s upcoming list should be announced without several players who featured at the last World Cup.

According to converging reports, at least three internationals will miss the next camp through injury:

• Chadi Riad, sidelined with a cruciate ligament tear;
• Youssef Belammari, also suffering a cruciate ligament injury;
• Ayoub El Kaabi, out with a tibia injury.

All three have undergone surgery and are not expected back in the short term. Their absence weighs heavily on the pitch but does not directly affect the travel or paperwork of Moroccans living abroad, who are mainly concerned by the match schedule and possible trips to support the team in Morocco or Europe.

Atlas Lions reshuffled squad: more players under threat

Beyond injuries, several other players could be left out due to a lack of minutes or proper fitness. Names being mentioned include:

• Marouane Saadane, short on game time;
• Anass Salah-Eddine, still working back to full condition;
• Redouane Halhal, whose place in the squad is uncertain.

Abdessamad Ezzalzouli could also be rested to continue his recovery from the injury that ruled him out of the World Cup.

The most delicate situation involves midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who has let it be known that he no longer wishes to play under Mohamed Ouahbi. No official outcome has been announced yet, but his stance could further weaken the core of Morocco’s midfield.

Four newcomers to refresh the team

These absences open the door to a new generation. Four names are emerging as strong candidates to be part of this Atlas Lions reshuffled squad:

• Younes Ebnoutalib
• Yassir Zabiri
• Othmane Maamma
• Omar El Hilali

Ebnoutalib and Zabiri could earn their first senior call-ups after an eye-catching start to the season. Ebnoutalib in particular stood out with a hat-trick on 29 August, at a time when Ouahbi was touring Europe to monitor players.

Othmane Maamma, who plays for Watford, was already included in a preliminary squad for the friendly against Burundi last May, a 5-0 Moroccan win in which he delivered an assist. Omar El Hilali also symbolises this new wave of dual-nationality players closely followed by the staff.

A strong signal to fans in Morocco and abroad

For Moroccans abroad, these choices show a clear push to rejuvenate the team while staying competitive. Changes in the squad list do not alter any administrative or travel procedures for supporters, but they can influence decisions about when to fly in for games.

Many Moroccans living in Europe, often close to the clubs where these players feature, will closely monitor the official list on the Royal Moroccan Football Federation website. It will help them plan future key dates to book flights, arrange time off and organise short trips back home, at a time when emotional attachment to the Atlas Lions remains a major driver of their connection to Morocco.

While waiting for formal confirmation, this anticipated reshaping of the squad marks a new phase for the national team, balancing injuries, dressing-room choices and a calculated bet on emerging talent.

For more context, readers can follow Canal212 news for Moroccans abroad.