This update focuses on Mohamed Ouahbi AFCON 2027. The road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations is taking shape for Moroccan fans as coach Mohamed Ouahbi unveils his first squad for the qualifiers. With a younger group and several new names, the Atlas Lions are sending a strong signal that ambition remains high, something many Moroccans living abroad closely identify with.
Mohamed Ouahbi AFCON 2027 squad looks firmly to the future
On Thursday 17 September, national team coach Mohamed Ouahbi announced his squad for Morocco’s opening two games in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. The Atlas Lions will face Gabon and Lesotho in matchdays one and two of Group A.
The list stands out for the inclusion of promising young talents such as Abdellah Ouazane and Yassir Zabiri. Their call-up underlines a clear intention to build a new competitive core around the established leaders.
For Moroccans abroad, the message is familiar and reassuring: the national team remains a powerful symbol of identity, where players trained in Europe or elsewhere can still find their place and carry the colours of Morocco at the highest level.
Key absences and a word of support
This first Mohamed Ouahbi AFCON 2027 squad also features notable absences due to injury. The coach made a point of expressing support for sidelined players such as Chadi Riad and Ayoub El Kaabi, both highly regarded by fans.
Their exclusion is temporary and strictly linked to fitness, with the door clearly open for their return once they are fully recovered. In the meantime, the newcomers will have a real chance to prove themselves in competitive fixtures.
On social media, the list was shared by the official account of the national team, in Arabic and English, confirming that the selected group will play the two qualifiers against Gabon and Lesotho, as well as a friendly match against Ghana in Tangier.
Key dates for fans in Morocco and abroad
The first fixtures are now set. The Atlas Lions will host Gabon on Friday 25 September 2026 at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, before travelling to face Lesotho on Tuesday 29 September 2026 in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
For Moroccans living overseas, those dates are already circled on the calendar. They mark evenings spent gathering around screens with family, late-night viewing in different time zones, or even trips to Morocco or the host countries for those who can make the journey.
- Morocco vs Gabon, 25 September 2026, Rabat
- Lesotho vs Morocco, 29 September 2026, Bloemfontein
- Friendly match scheduled against Ghana in Tangier
These games have become a ritual for the global Moroccan community: following the Atlas Lions together, as a way to stay connected with home despite distance and busy lives.
A new cycle under the watchful eye of the diaspora
Beyond the pitch, this first Mohamed Ouahbi AFCON 2027 squad is part of Morocco’s broader sporting image. Each call-up and each new face strengthens both the visibility of Moroccan football and the emotional bond many Moroccans abroad feel towards the national team.
The coming weeks will show whether this new cycle lives up to its promise as the AFCON 2027 qualifiers get underway. One thing is certain already: excitement is building again, in Moroccan cities and in communities from Europe to North America and the Gulf.
All eyes are now turning to the pitch, awaiting the first whistle and the first confirmations from this refreshed Atlas Lions group.
For more context, readers can follow Canal212 news for Moroccans abroad.
For official updates, readers can check the relevant official source.
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