Reynald Pedros, the Head Coach of the Moroccan National Women’s Football Team, announced on Monday the list of the 28 players who will take part in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The upcoming tournament, which marks the Atlas Lionesses’ first-ever participation in the World Cup, will take place between July 20 and August 20 in New Zealand and Australia.
Morocco’s squad list includes goalkeepers Ines Arouaissa, Khadija Errmichi, and Assia Zouhair.
For the team’s line of defense, the coach called up Hanane Ait El Haj, Nouhaila Benzina, Siham Boukhami, Zineb Redouani, Yasmine Mrabet, Rkia Mazrouai, Nesryne El Chad, Ghizlane Chhiri, and Sabah Seghir.
He also called up midfielders Najat Badri, Anissa Lahmari, Elodie Nakkach, Sarah Kassi, and team captain Ghizlane Chebbak.
Morocco’s squad list for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Credit: FMRF
The national team’s forwards include Salma Amani, Rosella Ayane, Anissa Belkasmi, Sofia Bouftini, Fatima Tagnaout, Imane Souad, Ibtissam Jraidi, Samya Hassani, Kenza Chapelle, Sakina Ouzraoui Diki, and Gharbi Fatima.
Speaking during a press conference after unveiling the squad list, Pedros stressed his team’s determination to produce a strong performance, saying that the players aim to “create a feat” and “go as far as possible.”
The World Cup draw has placed Morocco in Group H, alongside Germany, South Korea, and Colombia.
“We know that we are the underdogs of this group but that does not prevent us from making it difficult for all these nations,” Pedros said, explaining that the team has been preparing for its upcoming matches with “an absolutely incredible state of mind and work.”
Expressing his hope for the team to advance to the Round of 16, Pedros celebrated the growth that women’s football has witnessed in Morocco in recent years. “It is a promising start,” he said.
The Atlas Lioness’ during a training session ahead of the World Cup. Credit: FMRF
The national team secured their first-ever qualification for the Women’s World Cup after Morocco defeated Botswana during the quarter-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in 2022.
The Atlas Lionesses produced a remarkable performance during the continental tournament, reaching the WAFCON final for the first time.
Morocco will be the only representative of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region at the global tournament.
