Morocco squad for World Cup 2022 semifinal: Roster, key players, lineup and likely formation for knockout clash with France

Joshua Thomas

Morocco squad for World Cup 2022 semifinal: Roster, key players, lineup and likely formation for knockout clash with France image

Morocco will become the first African team to play in a World Cup semifinal when they face reigning champions France in Qatar.

The Atlas Lions have defied all expectations at the 2022 tournament having topped their group before knocking out Spain and Portugal on their way to the semifinals. 

This united Moroccan team have conceded just one goal from their five games to date in Qatar and have been able to conjure up some magic in the final third when needed. 

They will face their sternest test against France and will need all of their players to shine if they are to claim another famous win. 

MORE: France vs Morocco prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets 

Morocco World Cup roster

Coach Walid Regragui has opted to start all five of Morocco's games in Qatar with a 4-3-3 formation. 

In this shape, Sofyan Amrabat plays a key role in central midfield and has given his team an effective anchor in the middle of the pitch. 

Further up the field, Morocco have used an identical front three for all of their World Cup matches so far with Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri and Sofiane Boufal charged with leading the line. 

The trio don't see too much of the ball though with the Atlas Lions setting up to absorb opposition pressure and pounce on the counter. They have had less possession of the ball than their opponents in all five games to date and had just 27 per cent of it in their 1-0 win over Portugal last time out. 

Ther transition from defence to attack is helped immensely by the presence of PSG fullback Achraf Hakimi, whose speed can create all sorts of headaches for opposition teams.

Morocco key players vs France

Yassine Bounou

Morocco's undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, Bounou has proven a hard man to beat in Qatar. 

The 31-year-old has conceded just one goal across his four matches at the World Cup and that was an unfortunate own goal against Canada. 

Also known as Bono, the Sevilla shot-stopper has proven to be a crucial final layer for this defiant Moroccan team. 

If he can keep out the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud in their semifinal, the Golden Glove will surely be his.  

Sofyan Amrabat

Despite Moroccos' general lack of possession at the 2022 World Cup, midfielder Amrabat has managed to shine with and without the ball. 

Whether he's breaking up attacks or pushing his team forward with a smart pass, the 26-year-old is turning plenty of heads in Qatar. 

Currently playing club football in Serie A with Fiorentina, Amrabat will no doubt be the centre of transfer interest come January and has arguably been Morocco's most consistent player this year. 

He will need to marshal the midfield strongly if Morocco are to keep France largely at bay. 

Youssef En-Nesyri

Morocco's top goal scorer at the World Cup so far, En-Nesyri has delivered when it's mattered most for his team. 

His winning goal last time out against Portugal was an impressive, leaping header that even Cristiano Ronaldo would have been jealous of. 

The 25-year-old has scored six goals for his nation in 2022 and France will need to be particularly wary of his aerial threat. 

Morocco predicted lineup vs France

  • (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Bono (GK) — 2. Hakimi, 18. Yamiq, 5. Aguerd, 25. A. Allah — 8. Ounahi, 4. Amrabat, 15. Amallah — 7. Ziyech, 19. En-Nesyri, 17. Boufal

After leaving the pitch in tears against Portugal with a hamstring injury, Romain Saiss is unlikely to feature and Regragui will be hoping West Ham centre-back Nayef Aguerd can replace him after he missed Morocco's last match with a thigh injury. 

Forward Walid Cheddira is suspended for the semifinal after picking up two yellow cards against Portugal but had been used sparingly as a substitute. 

Morocco vs France head to head

These two nations have quite a history but haven't faced off since 2007 when they drew 2-2 in a friendly. 

France have generally dominated this fixture but Morocco have rarely been blown off the park.

Date Result Competition
Feb 5, 1988 France 2 Morocco 1 Friendly
May 29, 1998 Morocco 2 France 2
(pens 5-6)
King Hassan II
Tournament
Jan 20, 1999 France 1 Morocco 0 Friendly
June 6, 2000 Morocco 1 France 5 Friendly
Nov 16, 2007 France 2 Morocco 2 Friendly

Morocco squad at WC 2022

Position Player Club Age Caps*
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou Sevilla (SPA) 31 45
Goalkeeper Munir Al Wehda (KSA) 33 43
Goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti Wydad (MOR) 26 3
Defender Achraf Hakimi PSG (FRA) 24 53
Defender Noussair Mazraoui Bayern Munich (GER) 24 14
Defender Romain Saiss Besiktas (TUR) 32 65
Defender Nayef Aguerd West Ham (ENG) 26 21
Defender Achraf Dari Brest (FRA) 23 4
Defender Jawad El-Yamiq Valladolid (SPA) 30 11
Defender Yahi Attain-Allal Wydad (MOR) 27 1
Defender Badr Benoun Qatar SC (QAT) 29 3
Midfielder Sofyan Amrabat Fiorentina (ITA) 26 38
Midfielder Selim Ramallah Standard Liege (BEL) 25 23
Midfielder Abdelhamid Sabiri Sampdoria (ITA) 25 2
Midfielder Azzedine Ounahi Angers (FRA) 22 9
Midfielder Bilel El Khanouss Genk (BEL) 18 0
Midfielder Yahya Jabrane Wydad (MOR) 31 4
Forward Hakim Ziyech Chelsea (ENG) 24 42
Forward Youssef En-Nesyri Sevilla (SPA) 25 49
Forward Sofiane Boufal Angers (FRA) 29 31
Forward Zaharia Aboukhlal Toulouse (FRA) 22 12
Forward EZ Abde Osasuna (SPA) 20 1
Forward Anass Zaroury Burnley (ENG) 22 0
Forward Ilias Chair QPR (ENG) 25 10
Forward Abderrazak Hamdallah Al Ittihad (KSA) 31 17
Forward Walid Cheddira Bari (ITA) 24 2

*Caps correct as of Qatar 2022 starting

Joshua Thomas

Joshua Thomas Photo

Josh has been covering sport for nearly a decade now having fallen in love with football at a young age. A UTS graduate, Josh has previously worked for GOAL and now covers football closely for The Sporting News.