Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi will lead an unchanged Atlas Lions starting lineup when they take on Scotland in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup encounter.
Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has kept faith with the same team that faced Brazil in their previous outing, sticking to his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. The decision reflects the coach’s confidence in a side that has shown discipline and quality against top opposition.
Veteran goalkeeper Yassine Bono starts between the posts, while Hakimi, Mohamed Diop, Chadi Riad and Noussair Mazraoui form the defensive line. In midfield, Neil El Aynaoui and highly-rated youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi will provide balance, allowing the creative trio of Brahim Díaz, Azzedine Ounahi and Bilal El Khannouss to operate behind lone striker Ismael Saibari.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke, meanwhile, has opted for a more cautious approach. The Scots are set up with a three-man defence and a packed midfield aimed at limiting Morocco’s attacking threats.
Angus Gunn starts in goal, protected by a defensive unit featuring Kieran Tierney, Ryan Porteous Patterson, Jack Hendry, Grant Hanley and captain Andrew Robertson. The midfield quartet of Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, Scott McTominay and John McGinn will be tasked with controlling possession and supporting the attack, while Che Adams leads the line.
With both sides eyeing a place in the knockout stages, the match promises to be a fascinating tactical battle between Morocco’s attacking flair and Scotland’s defensive resilience.
Starting XIs
Scotland: Gunn; Tierney, Patterson, Hendry, Hanley, Robertson; Christie, Ferguson, McTominay, McGinn; Adams.
Morocco: Bono; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Brahim Díaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari.
Ghsportsnews (ghsportsnews.com) is a prominent digital sports news platform based in Accra, Ghana, that has been in operation since 2020