Hakim Ziyech returns from Morocco retirement to play World Cup

The experienced winger didn’t play for Morocco in the AFCON earlier this year.

Hakim Ziyech has secured a spot in Morocco’s squad for the World Cup.

Ziyech’s fallout with former Morocco boss Vahid Halihodzic resulted in his exile from the national team. His frustration led to an early retirement from international football back in February.

However, the Chelsea star will have a chance to salvage his Morocco career in the World Cup.

New Atlas Lions manager Walid Regragui seems to consider Ziyech as a key part of his attacking setup for the tournament.

Halilhodzic had also frozen Noussair Mazraoui out of his squad. But Regragui has decided to reintroduce the Bayern Munich star to the national team too.

Since his move from Ajax in the summer, Mazraoui has enjoyed brilliant form at Bayern. His performances have recently convinced Julian Nagelsmann to start him ahead of Benjamin Pavard.

Sevilla forward Youssef En-Nesyri is another notable addition to the squad, while Centre-back Nayef Aguerd returns from a serious ankle injury.

The likes of Achraf Hakimi and Yassine Bounou will also continue their crucial role in Morocco’s squad.

SurfsharkVPN — All you need in a VPN — and more

Morocco squad for World Cup 2022

Let’s take a look at the full Atlas Lions list for the Qatar tournament.

Morocco squad: Yassine Bounou (Sevilla), Munir El Kajoui (Al Wehda), Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (Wydad Casablanca); Nayef Aguerd (West Ham), Yahia Attiat Allah (Wydad Casablanca), Badr Benoun (Qatar SC). Achraf Dari (Stade Brest), Jawad El Yamiq (Real Valladolid). Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Noussair Mazraoui (Bayern Munich), Romain Saiss (Besiktas), Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina), Selim Amallah (Standard Liege). Bilal El Khannouss (Genk), Yahya Jabrane (Wydad Casablanca), Azzedine Ounahi (Angers), Abdelhamid Sabiri (Sampdoria). Zakaria Aboukhlal (Toulouse), Soufiane Boufal (Angers), Ilias Chair (Queens Park Rangers), Walid Cheddira (Bari), Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla). Abde Ezzalzouli (Osasuna), Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al Ittihad), Amine Harit (Marseille), Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea).