North African giants Morocco will be without key player Hakim Ziyech for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers this month. Ziyech, a key figure in coach Walid Regragui’s side, was left out of the squad due to lack of match fitness with the manager injecting new and young faces to bolster the squad.
The Atlas Lions are preparing for two games against Niger and Tanzania with all matches to be played in Oujda during the March FIFA window. After struggling to find playing time at Turkish giants Galatasaray due to tension with head coach Okan Buruk, Ziyech is off to a good start after signing with Qatar Stars League leaders Al Duhail.
Walid Regragui has backed Hakim Ziyech to return to the squad once he is fit. Speaking to the press, the head coach said the door is still open to the 29-year-old when he returns to his best form:
“Ziyech is a great player with real talent. He’s contributed a lot to the team,” Regragui said. "Now he’s started the last two games (for Al Duhail) and is getting back to form. When he’s ready, we’ll call him back because he’s an important player for us.”
The former Chelsea and Ajax winger, for the second consecutive window, has been dropped for the upcoming games against Niger and Tanzania due to fitness concerns. Morocco will play Niger on March 21 before hosting Tanzania on March 25. The Atlas Lions are Group E leaders after a perfect start with three wins in three matches.
With the absence of Ziyech, the attacking responsibility will fall on players like Youssef En-Nesyri, Soufiane Rahimi, Brahim Díaz and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.
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