Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi will unveil his squad on 4 November. Al-Ittihad striker Youssef En-Nesyri and Lazio midfielder Reda Belahyane could feature for the double header against Niger, according to reports.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has set the date: Mohamed Ouahbi will announce his squad on 4 November at 12:00 French time (11:00 in Morocco), at a press conference in Salé. Morocco will face Niger on 13 November at the Complexe Mohammed V in Casablanca, then on 17 November at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, for matchdays 3 and 4 of the CAN 2027 qualifiers.
Two days before that announcement, two names keep coming up: Al-Ittihad striker Youssef En-Nesyri and Lazio defensive midfielder Reda Belahyane. According to Ghana Soccer Net and Africa Soccer, both players could return to the Moroccan squad. Neither has been called up since Ouahbi’s appointment in March. Their call-ups remain possibilities, not certainties.
En-Nesyri, the attacking option
At 29, Youssef En-Nesyri has solid experience with Morocco: 92 caps and 25 goals. The Al-Ittihad striker is in fine form, with seven goals and one assist in his last ten appearances, according to Africa Soccer. That return could tip the scales in favour of a comeback with the Atlas Lions.
Ismael Saibari, used as a false number 9, has undergone surgery on a serious injury to his right ankle, which opens the door for En-Nesyri. All the more so as there is uncertainty over Soufiane Rahimi’s injury, according to Ghana Soccer Net, which strengthens the case for En-Nesyri.
A return would be nothing new for a player with 92 caps. But his absence from the squads since March raises questions. Ouahbi has so far trusted other profiles, such as Yassir Zabiri, who is shining with Racing de Santander and started against Gabon. The coach’s decision will depend on the balance he wants in his attack.
Belahyane, the new factor
Reda Belahyane, 22, has just one cap for Morocco, won in October 2024. But his status has changed at Lazio, joint leaders of Serie A. Gennaro Gattuso has repositioned him as a regista, and the defensive midfielder has started the last seven matches. He has made nine appearances in all competitions for his club.
That repositioning could interest Ouahbi, who would see an extra option in the Moroccan midfield.
Like En-Nesyri, Belahyane has not been called up since Ouahbi’s arrival. His return will depend on the coach’s willingness to bring in new profiles or keep the core of the squad that beat Gabon and Lesotho in late September.
Niger, the next step
Morocco go into this gathering top of Group A. The Atlas Lions beat Gabon (2-0) and Lesotho (2-0) in late September and lead Group A alone by three points. The two matches against Niger offer a chance to consolidate that first place.
With possible returns for En-Nesyri and Belahyane, the absence of Saibari and the uncertainty over Rahimi, Ouahbi will have to put his squad together. He will present it at the press conference on 4 November, at 11:00 Moroccan time, in Salé.