Ayoub El Kaabi

Ayoub El Kaabi is a forward in Morocco's final 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named in the squad announced on 26 May 2026 under head coach Mohamed Ouahbi. The Olympiacos striker is 32 at kick-off and brings 55 senior caps and 20 international goals into the tournament, one of the Atlas Lions' most experienced forwards and a reliable source of goals up front.

Morocco are in Group C with Brazil, Haiti and Scotland, opening against Brazil at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on 13 June. The team qualified by winning their CAF group in September 2025, and El Kaabi is listed in Morocco's forward group, a seasoned international back on the World Cup stage after featuring in the group stage at Russia 2018.

El Kaabi is a physical centre-forward, with finishing and strength in the box as the core of his game. He leads the line, holds the ball up against defenders, and gets into scoring positions, a profile built on power and a striker's instinct in front of goal.

His 20 international goals in 55 caps reflect a forward who scores regularly for Morocco. At 32 he brings the experience of a long club and international career into the squad as a finisher Ouahbi can call on up front.

Twenty international goals and the finishing of a physical, experienced centre-forward are what El Kaabi adds to Morocco's centre-forward pick. That £17m puts Morocco in Tier 3, within the game's £200m card budget.

As a striker who leads the line, his finishing is the slot's attacking edge: a penalty-area threat who holds the ball up, pins defenders and converts the chances Morocco create when he plays through the group stage.