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.
A historic pride of Atlas Lions 🦁@EnMaroc | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/MU9FMIRaHo
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 10, 2022
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.
There was no stopping that from Youssef En-Nesyri 💥#LetItFly with @qatarairways pic.twitter.com/JhR5iUOsPt
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 10, 2022
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