FIFA: 5 Promising Moroccan Talents Ahead of 2022 World Cup

Fez – FIFA has nominated five Moroccan young players whose promising talent brings hope to Moroccan fans ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Having been placed in Group F for the World Cup group stage, FIFA, the world’s football governing body, said on Thursday that Morocco’s youngsters could help the team revive the 1986 World Cup memories when the national team qualified for the quarter-finals.

Moroccan international and Angers midfielder Azzedine Ounahi was the first to appear on the list, following his spectacular performance against DR Congo in the second leg of the FIFA World Cup playoffs.

During the game, Ounahi scored two magnificent goals. The first came from a sensational long-range shot followed by another goal from an open play as he found himself face-to-face with the Congolese goalkeeper, sealing Morocco’s Atlas Lions’ place in the 2022 World Cup.

“Ounahi is difficult to dispossess and a real threat with his precision passing in the final third. Add to that his talent for shooting from distance, and it is easy to see why so much hope has been pinned on him for Qatar,” FIFA said.

The player’s great potential would make him a joy to behold in the most prestigious football competition.

FIFA also mentioned the Moroccan-born FC Barcelona winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.

Ezzalzouli was one of the most talked-about young footballers on the national scene in the past months. He declined head coach Halilhodzic’s invitation to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with several reports indicating that he intends to represent the Spanish national football team.

With Ezzalzouli’s latest participation with Morocco’s Atlas Lions, he rebuked all these claims and further strengthened the Moroccan squad, especially amid the ongoing absence of Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech.

“A raw talent, Ezzalzouli is known for his speed on the wing and ability to get past opponents. He is also physically strong and works equally well on either flank,” FIFA outlined.

The world’s football governing body later moved on to highlight the potential caliber of FC Barcelona’s rising defender Chadi Riad.

The 18-year old Riad is one of the most promising talents worldwide, making FIFA promote him as one of the Moroccan youngsters to watch on world football’s biggest stage.

“A defender on Barcelona’s books, Chadi Riad is one of the most promising young defenders based in Europe. With notable physical capabilities and ever-improving skills, there is every reason to think he could be ready for Qatar 2022,” FIFA noted.

Having played for the junior teams, the Blaugara center back is yet to make his official debut for Morocco’s national team.

Moroccan international and Watford midfielder Imran Louza also appeared on FIFA’s list of Moroccan promising youngsters ahead of the World Cup.

Louza was an indispensable asset in the Moroccan team’s long journey toward clinching a ticket to the world football’s biggest stage.

“Louza’s versatility and physical strength makes him an all-round midfielder capable of playing both offensive and defensive roles,” FIFA outlined.

Last but not least was Zakaria Aboukhlal, the AZ Alkmaar forward who delivered good performances in the recent AFCON, marking him as a potential future leader of Morocco’s Atlas forward line.

“On the books of Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, he is a gifted striker who is composed in front of goal and adept at operating in tight spaces,” FIFA said.

Despite having not been summoned for the two-legged playoffs against DR Congo, Moroccan fans have high hopes that the center-forward will feature in the national team squad for the 2022 World Cup.