Morocco’s Rising Stars Aim to Replicate 1986 World Cup Success, FIFA Highlights

In an article written in anticipation of the World Cup, the international football body has extolled the current group of the Atlas Lions who, according to it, "dream of repeating the feat achieved in 1986 in Mexico," recalling that "at the time, they had created the surprise by reaching the round of 16 at the expense of Portugal, signing in the process one of the best performances of an African or Arab team."

During the qualifying phases, notes FIFA, observers have discovered a promising generation of Morocco, emphasizing the performances of "five of these players apparently destined for a bright future."

These are: Azzedine Ounahi, 22, whose "stock has probably never been so high. And for good reason: on March 29, his brace against the DR Congo literally propelled Morocco into the final phase of the World Cup." Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, 20, who "is one of the spearheads of this new Moroccan generation, who dream of making a name for themselves in Qatar," says FIFA.

The international body also cites Chadi Riad, 18, a defender from Barcelona Junior A, "considered one of the great global hopes in his position," and Imran Louza, 22, adored for "his power and versatility."

And finally, Zakaria Aboukhlal, 22, who is "endowed with above-average coolness, and who likes to operate in tight spaces. His seemingly inexhaustible energy makes him a worker entirely devoted to the service of his team, who does not hesitate to harass the ball carrier in the defensive phase," the same source relates.