Morocco's 26-man squad for World Cup: Hakimi & Ziyech lead

Morocco's 26-man squad for World Cup: Hakimi & Ziyech lead

Hakim Ziyech has been selected to represent Morocco at the 2022 World Cup after an eventful year that saw him retire from football before returning to the fold in September.

Walid Regragui made the decision to include Ziyech in his 26-man squad for Qatar - having stepped in to replace sacked Vahid Halilhodzic in August.

Regragui - who will take charge of his major international tournament later this month - is hopeful Ziyech will help Morocco in Group F.

Ziyech has returned to the Morcocco squad - ending his 15-month exile. The 29-year-old was outcast from the team by Halilhodzic, who criticised his 'behaviour'.

Speaking after Morocco's Africa Cup of Nations exit earlier this year, Halilhodzic said: 'The players I have selected are the best in the country.

'I don't select a player who can unbalance the group - not even if his name is Lionel Messi. Ziyech's behaviour does not fit the selection. He doesn't want to train, doesn't want to play. He doesn't take it seriously. I'm not going to beg him to come back.

'After the [AFCON] tournament three years ago, he was the most criticised. He was booed - you mustn't forget that.'

Noussair Mazraoui will also return to the squad - having been dismissed by Halilhodzic in August.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation cited 'differences and divergent visions' for his exclusion in the summer.

Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi will also feature at the 2022 World Cup for Morocco after being named in Regragui's squad on Thursday.

Morocco will be guided through the showpiece tournament by their captain and former Wolves defender Romain Saiss.

West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd will at feature later this month - having finally recovered from a knee injury he sustained in pre-season.