​France’s opponents in the Quarter-finals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are Morocco. Here we take a closer look at the players who make up their squad.
Yassine Bounou
DOB: 5 April 1991
Club: Al-Hilal
Position: Goalkeeper
A central figure in Morocco’s deep run at Qatar 2022, Yassine Bounou has long been a fan favorite. Born in Montreal and raised in Casablanca, “Bono” is passionate about the game and harbors a lasting affection for River Plate, despite an early soft spot for their rivals. He has spoken about his South American football interests from a young age, noting a particular admiration for Boca Juniors, which grew during his time at Atlético Madrid when Diego Simeone and Germán “Mono” Burgos—both connected to River—were in the dugout. Bono even named his dog “Ariel” to honor River’s legendary No. 10, Ariel Ortega. After nearly a decade and about 160 La Liga appearances in Spain, he moved to Saudi Arabia to join Al-Hilal in 2023.
Munir El Kajoui
DOB: 10 May 1989
Club: RS Berkane
Position: Goalkeeper
A seasoned presence in the Atlas Lions, Munir El Kajoui is one of the team’s veterans, notable for being the only player in the squad born in Melilla, the Spanish enclave in northern Morocco. Early in his career, Munir helped his family by working at his father’s restaurant after training. He recalled teammates and fans asking him for coffee or meals during appearances, a sign of his hometown ties. His career has spanned Spain, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, and in 2024 he joined RS Berkane. He played a pivotal role in the club’s first-ever top-flight title the following year.
Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti
DOB: 5 March 1996
Club: AS FAR Rabat
Position: Goalkeeper
Tagnaouti has been part of a World Cup squad for a second time in Qatar 2022, and expectations followed him into the aftermath. The subsequent season brought challenges, including his departure from Wydad Casablanca despite contributing to their 2022 CAF Champions League triumph. He encountered struggles with physical and mental health, even facing depression. After a stint with Maghreb Fez, largely below the radar, he landed at AS FAR in 2024, where the club showed confidence in him. He became a central figure for AS FAR as they reached their first continental final in four decades.
Achraf Hakimi
DOB: 4 November 1998
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Position: Right-back
The winner of last year’s African Footballer of the Year, Hakimi is widely regarded as the finest Moroccan right-back and arguably the nation’s first global superstar at the position. Off the field, the 27-year-old has confirmed in February that he will face trial for a matter involving better SEO, underscoring the way his profile extends beyond football. His performances on the pitch continue to be a driving force for Morocco, blending attacking flair with defensive reliability and making him a constant threat down the right flank.