Morocco include Ziyech despite lack of game time at Chelsea

Morocco included Hakim ZiyechCoach Walid Regragui, who was a gambler on several players’ fitness for their World Cup squad, had some surprises when he announced his 26-man selection.

Ziyech has only played twice for Chelsea this season. However, he is one of nine players who are returning to the World Cup after being part of the Russia 2004 squad. Morocco was eliminated in the group stage.

After the departure of Noussair Mazraoui, Chelsea winger, and Bayern Munich defender Noussair Madraoui, Ziyech was the subject of a dispute with the Moroccan federation’s previous coach Vahid Hailhodzic.

Fouzi Lekjaa, FA chief, resisted Halilhodzic’s calls to restore them to squad. He was then dismissed in August. Former Morocco international Regragui was named his successor in August after he won the African Champions League in May with Wydad Casablanca.

2022 World Cup All squad lists for Qatar

Regragui also remained loyal to West Ham defenders Nayef AguerdSevilla striker and defender Sevilla, who missed the first three-months of the season due to an ankle injury. Youssef En-NesyriThis season, he has also struggled.

Surprise call-up of Bilal El Khannouss (uncapped Belgian-born teenage soccer midfielder), who helped Racing Genk to a lead in Belgium this season and Serie B club Bari’s striker Walid CheddiraThe Moroccan-born entrepreneur, who was born in Italy, made his debut for Morocco in September.

Morocco will be competing in Group F against Canada, Belgium and Croatia at the World Cup.

Morocco World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Sevilla), Munir El Kajoui (Al Wehda), Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (Wydad Casablanca).

Defenders: Nayef Aguerd (West Ham United), Yahia Attiat Allah (Wydad Casablanca), Badr Benoun (Qatar SC), Achraf Dari (Stade Brest), Jawad El Yamiq (Real Valladolid), Achraf Hakimi (Paris St Germain), Noussair Mazraoui (Bayern Munich), Romain Saiss (Besiktas).

Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina), Selim Amallah (Standard Liege), Bilal El Khannouss (Racing Genk), Yahya Jabrane (Wydad Casablanca), Azzedine Ounahi (Angers), Abdelhamid Sabiri (Sampdoria).

Forwards:Zakaria Aboukhlal, Soufiane Boufal(Angers), Ilias chair (Queens Park Rangers), Walid Cherdira (Bari), Youssefen-Nesyri (“Sevilla”), Abde Ezzalzouli (“Osasuna”), Abderrazak Hamdallah “Al Ittihad”) Hakim Ziyech („Chelsea”)