The Moroccan national team, which made an impressive fourth-place finish at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, has officially announced its final roster of 26 players for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, set to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Mohamed Ouahbi, who took over as head coach from Walid Regragui earlier this year, addressed the media at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, revealing the inclusion of two players from Real Betis: Ez Abde and Sofyan Amrabat. Their selection was highly anticipated, given their consistent performances and previous inclusion in the preliminary list of 55 players submitted to FIFA by the Moroccan Football Federation.
Ez Abde has emerged as a standout player for Real Betis during the 2025-26 season. The left winger has played a pivotal role for Manuel Pellegrini's squad across LaLiga, the Europa League, and the Copa del Rey. Over the course of the season, he has participated in 43 official matches, accumulating 3,171 minutes on the pitch, during which he scored 15 goals and provided 13 assists, including 10 goals and nine assists in LaLiga alone. Abde has often been the spark that ignites his team’s offensive plays and has demonstrated significant improvement in his decision-making and finishing ability, stepping up his game considerably this season. His contributions were also crucial for the Moroccan national team during the Africa Cup of Nations, where he secured a starting position from the third match onward, culminating in a full match performance in the final against Senegal, including extra time.
Sofyan Amrabat has experienced a season marked by ups and downs. When fit, he has shown his capability as a high-level defensive midfielder, meeting the demands of coach Pellegrini. However, injuries have plagued his season, limiting his appearances significantly after suffering a serious injury in late November during a clash with Isco in a match against Utrecht. Following the injury, he initially opted for conservative treatment to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations but ultimately required surgery when it became clear he could not contribute to his team's efforts in the tournament. Consequently, he has only featured in 23 matches across LaLiga and the Copa del Rey, totaling 1,612 minutes of play.
In an interesting development, former Real Betis player Chadi Riad, now with Crystal Palace, has also been called up to the World Cup squad as a defender. Crystal Palace is currently set to compete against Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final taking place in Leipzig, Germany, tomorrow.
As reported by abc.es.
