Morocco World Cup 2022 Squad List Released As Coach Walid Regragui Names Ziyech, 25 Others

• Morocco's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup has been released, and Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech made the cut
• The striker earlier announced retirement from the national team, having fallen out with former coach Vahid Halilhodzic
• Impressive PSG defender Achraf Hakimi was also named in the squad alongside team captain Romain Saiss

The head coach of the Moroccan national football team, Walid Regragui has named 26 players for the forthcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

All is now set for the global showpiece, as the North African side ended their warm-up matches with a 0-0 draw against Paraguay in Spain.

They head to Qatar as the 22nd best team in the world and the second-best team from Africa, with reining AFCON champions Senegal ranked 18th in the world and number one on the continent.

Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech returns to the squad, and the 29-year-old will be saddled with the responsibility of getting the goals at the Mundial.

Japan name World Cup squad to put 'Tragedy of Doha' behind them

Football

Previously, Ziyech fell out with former coach Vahid Halilhodzic and announced his international retirement in February.

Halilhodzic had said his reason for dropping Ziyech was that the winger faked an injury and displayed 'unacceptable behaviour'. However, the new manager has recalled him.

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi was also named in the squad, hoping his experience will help the team at the tournament.

Romain Saiss, who left Wolves this summer to join Besiktas, will captain the side and will also be in the heart of the defence.

Also on the list is West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd, who only recovered from a knee injury suffered in pre-season a few weeks ago.

Sofiane Boufal, who once had a stint with Premier League club Southampton, will likely lead the line alongside Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri, with Gent’s Tarik Tissoudali - favoured over the summer - missing the tournament with knee ligament damage.

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen makes Serie A team of the week following hattrick vs Sassuolo

Football

Pogba excluded from France squad

Sports Brief earlier reported that France head coach Didier Deschamps unveiled his 25-man squad heading to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.

While the team features several prominent names, several familiar faces also failed to make the cut for Les Bleus.

Hugo Lloris, Kylian Mbappe, William Saliba, Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud and Christopher Nkunku are some of the top names in the squad.