By Morocco to Debut in Paris 2024 Olympics Against Argentina
Saint-Etienne – On July 24, the Moroccan national football team will face Argentina in their inaugural match at the 2024 Paris Olympics. As excitement builds for this highly anticipated clash, we take a closer look at the selected players who will represent Morocco on this grand stage.
Moroccan Squad for the 2024 Olympics
Goalkeepers:
Munir El Kajoui (RS Berkane)
Rachid Ghanimi (FUS Rabat)
Mohamed Reda Asmama (Union Touarga)
Defenders:
Achraf Hakimi (Paris SG/France)
Ayman El Wafi (FC Lugano/Switzerland)
Mehdi Boukamir (Royal Charleroi/Belgium)
Akram Nakach (Union Touarga)
Zakaria El Ouahidi (K.R.C Genk/Belgium)
Adil Tahif (RS Berkane)
Haytam Manaout (Union Touarga)
Midfielders:
Bilal El Khannouss (Genk/Belgium)
Benjamin Bouchouari (Saint Etienne/France)
Yassine Kechta (Le Havre/France)
Oussama Targhaline (Le Havre/France)
Oussama El Azzouzi (Bologne/Italy)
Amir Richardson (Reims/France)
Mehdi El Moubarik (Al-Ain/UAE)
Forwards:
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Betis Seville/Spain)
Ilias Akhomach (Villarreal/Spain)
Soufiane Rahimi (Al-Ain/UAE)
Eliesse Ben Seghir (AS Monaco)
El Mehdi Maouhoub (Raja Casablanca)
Morocco’s Three Wildcard Players
Munir El Kajoui, the seasoned goalkeeper, recently signed with RS Berkane for a season in the Botola Pro. Known for his spectacular saves and reliable positioning, the 1.90-meter tall El Kajoui is expected to be a linchpin in Morocco’s defense during the Olympics.
Achraf Hakimi, the renowned right-back currently playing for Paris Saint-Germain, brings a wealth of international experience, having previously played for Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Inter Milan. With his exceptional dribbling and decisive play (9 goals in 77 caps), Hakimi is a key player for Morocco.
Soufiane Rahimi, playing for Al-Ain in the UAE, is another pivotal player for the Moroccan team. Known for his scoring ability and technical prowess, Rahimi has not reached his full potential at the senior level but is poised to lead Morocco’s attack during the Olympics.
Other Noteworthy Moroccan Players
Ez Abde, the 22-year-old versatile winger, has 15 caps with Walid Regragui’s squad. After a solid season with Betis Seville in La Liga, he aims to leverage his dribbling skills and game vision to lead the U23 team in Paris.
Bilal El Khannouss, at just 20 years old, represents the future of Moroccan football. Playing as an offensive or box-to-box midfielder for KRC Genk in Belgium, El Khannouss has already accrued significant experience with the senior team. Known for his technical skills, he is expected to make a substantial impact in the upcoming games.
Head Coach: Tarik Setioui
Tarik Setioui, 47, a former Moroccan international with 21 caps and 7 goals, now leads the U23 team. With a playing career that spanned across AJ Auxerre, AZ Alkmaar, and FC Porto, Setioui transitioned into coaching in 2012. His extensive knowledge of Moroccan football and high-level experience make him an ideal leader for the Lion Cubs in the Olympics.
Under Setioui, Morocco aims to navigate the challenges of the tournament and advance as far as possible, showcasing the talent and potential that Moroccan football has to offer.
