World Cup 2022: Morocco preview

Morocco go into the 2022 World Cup on the back of a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations, where they lost to eventual runners-up Egypt in the quarter-finals. Can they perform better in this tournament? Read on to inform your predictions for Morocco at World Cup 2022.

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This year’s tournament will be Morocco's sixth appearance at a World Cup; however, Mexico 86 is the only time they have advanced from their group. They are, though, in one of the most wide-open groups of the tournament, having been drawn alongside Belgium, Canada, and Croatia. 

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World Cup 2022: Morocco key stats

Manager: Walid Regragui

Key player: Achraf Hakimi

FIFA World Ranking (at time of writing): 22nd

Recent performances: World Cup 2018 – Group Stage, World Cup 2014 – Did Not Qualify

Odds to win Group F: 12.020 (+1102)*

Odds to win World Cup 2022: 251.350 (+25035)*

World Cup 2022: Morocco schedule

All times listed are CET (Central European Time).

November 23, 11:00: Morocco vs. Croatia

November 27, 14:00: Belgium vs. Morocco

December 1, 16:00: Canada vs. Morocco

World Cup 2022: How will Morocco fare in Group F?

The FIFA rankings have Morocco as the third-best nation in Group F, but they could be involved in the battle for the second spot.

Belgium are rightly the strong favourites to progress and many will expect a strong showing from Croatia after they reached the final four years ago.

There is an argument though that several of Croatia’s key players are now coming towards the end of their careers and that will offer hope to both Morocco and Canada.

World Cup 2022: An analysis of Morocco’s squad

Several of Morocco’s players play in Europe’s top leagues, with squad members currently playing in the Premier League, Bundesliga, LaLiga, Ligue 1, and Serie A.

One of those is defender Achraf Hakimi, who has spent the last year with French giants Paris Saint-Germain, having joined the Ligue 1 champions from Inter Milan.

Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat is likely to feature in midfield, while Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech and Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri will provide an attacking threat.

World Cup 2022: What tactics will Morocco use?

Coach Walid Regragui adopted a 4-4-2 formation in their Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches, but has trialled other systems in recent friendlies.

Morocco have switched between 4-1-4-1 and 4-3-3 formations and are likely to go with the latter for their opening Group F match.

World Cup 2022: Is there value in Morocco’s odds?

The value for Morocco looks to be for Walid Regragui’s men to advance from the group, for which they can be backed at 3.250 (+225)*.

For the Atlas Lions to collect over 3.5 points in Group F, they are available at 2.330 (+133)*.

Looking forward to World Cup 2022? Check out the latest World Cup 2022 odds on every match, plus Outright markets and more, with Pinnacle.

And don't forget to read our previews for all 32 teams at World Cup 2022 where you can find in-depth analysis of each team competing in Qatar.

 

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