Morocco women's national football team
The Morocco women's national football team (Arabic: منتخب المغرب لكرة القدم للسيدات, French: Équipe du Maroc féminine de football) represents Morocco in international women's football and is managed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. The team played its first international match in 1998, as part of the third Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
| Nickname(s) | لبؤات أطلس (Lionesses of Atlas) |
|---|---|
| Association | Royal Moroccan Football Federation |
| Head coach | Jorge Vilda |
| Captain | Ghizlane Chebbak |
| Top scorer | Ghizlane Chebbak (23) |
| Home stadium | Stade Moulay Hassan |
| FIFA code | MAR |
| FIFA ranking | |
| Current | 60 2 (15 December 2023)[1] |
| Highest | 52 (July – August 2003) |
| Lowest | 83 (July 2019) |
| First international | |
| South Africa 1–1 Morocco (Pretoria, South Africa; 5 July 1998) | |
| Biggest win | |
| Morocco 8–0 Lebanon (Alexandria, Egypt; 23 April 2006) | |
| Biggest defeat | |
| Nigeria 8–0 Morocco (Kaduna, Nigeria; 17 October 1998) | |
| World Cup | |
| Appearances | 1 (first in 2023) |
| Best result | Round of 16 (2023) |
| Women's Africa Cup of Nations | |
| Appearances | 4 (first in 1998) |
| Best result | Runners-up (2022) |
They have participated in the FIFA Women's World Cup once, in 2023. They made history in the same tournament,[2] qualifying to the knock-out stages after placing second in the group stages before they fell short in the Round of 16 to France.
The traditional rivals of Morocco are mainly Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt.[3]
History edit
On 26 April 2006, Morocco made their first ever final in the 2006 Arab Women's Championship, defeating Egypt 4–2 in the semi-final. They lost the final 1–0 against Algeria.[4]
2020s edit
On 22 February 2020, Morocco lionesses managed to win the 2020 UNAF Women's Cup after defeating Algeria 2–0 to top the final standings.[5][6]
After hiatus and lack of achievement, the Women's AFCON was expanded to 12 teams, starting from 2020, but due to COVID-19 pandemic, the first edition was held in Morocco 2022 instead.[7] Using this home advantage, Morocco restarted its women's football structure, rebuilt its women's team that has long been neglected. With greater interest, Morocco was able to create history by reaching the semi-finals in their home soil.[8][9] With this achievement, Morocco made a history as the first Arab country to qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup,[10][11] debuting in 2023.[12][13] Morocco went on to make another historic chapter as the first North African and Arab country to participate in the final of a continental tournament by beating African powerhouse and three-times defending champions Nigeria on penalties.[14][15] However, Morocco could not finish its dream in the final after losing to an experienced South African side, whose two goals crushed the Moroccan dream to win the title.[16][17]
In their first ever FIFA Women's World Cup, Morocco qualified to the Knockout-stages after placing second in their group, losing their first match 6–0 to Germany[18][19] and winning both their second and third match 1–0 respectively against South Korea and Colombia.[20][21][22] Thus, becoming the lowest ranked nation to qualify for the Knock-out stages.[23][24] They ended their journey in the Round of 16, after losing 4–0 to France.[25]
On 12 October 2023, Spanish coach Jorge Vilda was announced as the new head coach of the Moroccan women's team.[26][27] On 14 November 2023, Morocco was nominated for the 2023 Best African Women’s National Team of the Year by CAF.[28]
Nicknames edit
The Morocco women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Atlas Lionesses".[29][30]
Home stadium edit
Morocco's home matches were held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, managed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. The stadium served as the home ground for AS FAR and frequently hosted matches for the men's team. Situated in Rabat, Morocco, this iconic venue has been the stage for numerous significant tournaments. Among these, the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations stands out as a significant event, where Morocco showcased their prowess by playing all their matches at this stadium and even reached the final. Though they lost to South Africa in the final, the stadium will forever be remembered for witnessing Morocco's historic qualification to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time.
Kit suppliers edit
Morocco's home colours are most red shirts and green shorts and socks, away colours are usually all white or all green.
Results and fixtures edit
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
- Legend
Win Draw Lose Fixture
2023 edit
| 21 February International Friendly | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 0–2 | Morocco | Antalya, Turkey |
| 15:00 UTC+1 | Report |
| 6 April International Friendly | Czech Republic | 2–0 | Morocco | Chomutov, Czechia |
| 20:30 UTC+1 |
| Stadium: Letní stadion |
| 11 April International Friendly | Romania | 1–0 | Morocco | Bucharest, Romania |
| 17:30 |
| 5 July International Friendly | Switzerland | 0–0 | Morocco | TBC, Switzerland |
| 16 July International Friendly | Jamaica | 1–0 | Morocco | Melbourne, Australia |
| Stadium: B.T. Connor Reserve |
| 24 July FIFA WC GS | Germany | 6–0 | Morocco | Melbourne, Australia |
| 18:30 UTC+10 | Report | Stadium: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium Attendance: 27,256 Referee: Tori Penso (United States) |
| 30 July FIFA WC GS | South Korea | 0–1 | Morocco | Adelaide, Australia |
| 14:00 UTC+9:30 | Report | Jraïdi 6' | Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium Attendance: 12,886 Referee: Edina Alves Batista (Brazil) |
| 3 August FIFA WC GS | Morocco | 1–0 | Colombia | Perth, Australia |
| 18:00 UTC+8 | Lahmari 45+4' | Report | Stadium: Perth Rectangular Stadium Attendance: 17,342 Referee: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi (Italy) |
| 8 August 2023 FIFA WC R16 | France | 4–0 | Morocco | Adelaide, Australia |
| 20:30 UTC+9:30 | Report | Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium Attendance: 13,557 Referee: Tori Penso (United States) |
| 22 September International Friendly | Morocco | 0–2 | Zambia | Casablanca |
| 19:00 UTC+1 | Report | Stadium: Père Jégo Stadium |
| 26 September International Friendly | Morocco | 2–6 | Zambia | Rabat |
| 19:00 UTC+1 | Report |
| Stadium: Moulay Hassan Stadium |
| 26 October 2024 Olympic qualifying | Namibia | 0–2 | Morocco | Marrakech |
| 20:00 UTC+1 | Report | Stadium: Stade de Marrakech |
| 31 October 2024 Olympic qualifying | Morocco | 2–0 (4–0 agg.) | Namibia | Rabat |
| Stadium: Moulay Hassan Stadium | ||||
| Note: Morocco won 4–0 on aggregate. | ||||
| 1 December International Friendly | Morocco | 1–1 | Uganda | Casablanca, Morocco |
| 19:00 UTC+1 |
| Stadium: Père Jégo Stadium Referee: Rokiatou Fofana (Mali) |
| 5 December International Friendly | Morocco | 3–0 | Uganda | Rabat |
| 19:00 UTC+1 | Stadium: Moulay Hassan Stadium |
2024 edit
| February 2024 2024 Olympic qualifying | Tunisia | v | Morocco |
| February 2024 2024 Olympic qualifying | Morocco | v | Tunisia |
- Morocco Results and Fixtures – Soccerway.com
- globalsportsarchive
Coaching staff edit
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Jorge Vilda |
| Assistant coach | Vacant |
| Goalkeeping coach | Vacant |
| Fitness coach | Khadija Addal |
Manager history edit
- Kelly Lindsey (2020)[32]
- Reynald Pedros (2020–2023)[33]
- Jorge Vilda (2023-)[34]
Players edit
Current squad edit
The following players were called up for two International Friendly game against Uganda on 1 and 5 December 2023 .[35]
Caps and goals accurate up to and including (5 December 2023).
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Khadija Er-Rmichi | 16 September 1989 | 60 | 0 | ASFAR |
| 12 | GK | Assia Zouhair | 30 April 1991 | 10 | 0 | CAK |
| 22 | GK | Inès Arouaissa | 30 June 2001 | 1 | 0 | Cannes |
| - | GK | Zineb El Arari | 28 November 1999 | 0 | 0 | Jawharat Najm Larache |
| 22 | GK | Meryem Hajri | 14 September 1994 | 12 | 6 | Sporting Club Casablanca |
| 14 | DF | Maryame Atiq | 24 January 1998 | 3 | 0 | Unión Viera |
| 17 | DF | Hanane Aït El Haj | 2 November 1994 | 55 | 1 | AS FAR |
| 3 | DF | Nouhaïla Benzina | 11 May 1998 | 21 | 0 | ASFAR |
| 4 | MF | Siham Boukhami | 1 February 1992 | 9 | 1 | ASFAR |
| 21 | DF | Yasmin Mrabet | 8 August 1999 | 26 | 3 | Levante Las Planas |
| 13 | DF | Sabah Seghir | 27 September 2000 | 22 | 1 | Basel |
| 2 | DF | Zineb Redouani | 12 June 2000 | 42 | 2 | ASFAR |
| 5 | DF | Nesryne El Chad | 13 March 2003 | 23 | 3 | Lille |
| DF | Samia Fikri | 2 August 1999 | 3 | 0 | Montauban | |
| MF | Djennah Chierif | Feyenoord | ||||
| 10 | MF | Najat Badri | 19 May 1988 | 33 | 5 | ASFAR |
| MF | Sarah Kassi | 9 September 2003 | 7 | 0 | Fleury | |
| 6 | MF | Élodie Nakkach | 20 January 1995 | 47 | 3 | Servette |
| 15 | MF | Inès Kbida | 10 May 2003 | Marseille | ||
| 15 | MF | Ibtissam Bouharat | 2 January 1990 | 2 | 1 | KV Mechelen |
| MF | Safa Banouk | ASFAR | ||||
| 16 | MF | Anissa Lahmari | 17 February 1997 | 6 | 1 | Levante Las Planas |
| MF | Sana Daoudi | 12 March 1998 | Guingamp | |||
| MF | Nour Imane Addi | 10 June 1997 | Celtic | |||
| MF | Fatima Tagnaout | 20 January 1999 | 43 | 4 | ASFAR | |
| 7 | FW | Ghizlane Chebbak (captain) | 19 February 1991 | 71 | 23 | ASFAR |
| 9 | FW | Ibtissam Jraïdi | 9 December 1992 | 58 | 13 | Al Ahli |
| 8 | FW | Rosella Ayane | 16 March 1996 | 31 | 10 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| 14 | FW | Yasmine Zouhir | 16 July 2005 | Saint-Étienne U19 | ||
| 19 | FW | Sakina Ouzraoui | 29 August 2001 | 18 | 1 | Anderlecht |
| 20 | FW | Imane Saoud | 6 June 2002 | 26 | 5 | Servette |
Recent call-ups edit
The following players have been called up to the squad in the past 12 months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DF | Fatima El Ghazouani | 11 May 2005 | Quevilly-Rouen | v. Switzerland, 5 July 2023 | ||
| DF | Rkia Mazrouai | 11 May 2002 | 2 | 0 | Gent | 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup |
| DF | Ghizlane Chhiri | 11 September 1994 | 7 | 0 | ASFAR | v. Namibia, 31 October 2023 |
| MF | Samya Masnaoui | 16 September 2005 | Ajax Youth | v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 21 February 2023 | ||
| MF | Kawtar Ait Omar | 19 February 2004 | Fortuna Sittard | v. Switzerland, 5 July 2023 | ||
| MF | Salma Amani | 28 November 1989 | 35 | 7 | Al-Ittihad | Zambia, 26 September 2023 |
| MF | Samya Hassani | 3 January 2000 | 7 | 3 | Telstar | v. Namibia, 31 October 2023 |
| FW | Anissa Belkasmi | 9 July 2002 | Orléans | v. Switzerland, 5 July 2023 | ||
| FW | Fatima Zohra Gharbi | 15 May 2001 | 3 | 0 | Europa | 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup |
| FW | Sofia Bouftini | 25 January 2002 | 8 | 0 | RS Berkane | v. Namibia, 31 October 2023 |
| FW | Kenza Chapelle | 1 July 2001 | 3 | 0 | Strasbourg | v. Namibia, 31 October 2023 |
| FW | Sanaâ Mssoudy | 30 December 1999 | 31 | 8 | ASFAR | v. Namibia, 31 October 2023 |
| Maissen Bourhrine | 28 November 2003 | Lyon Reserves | v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 21 February 2023 | |||
Previous squads edit
- FIFA Women's World Cup
- Africa Women Cup of Nations
- UNAF Women's Tournament
- Malta International Women's Football Tournament
Player records edit
*Active players in bold, statistics correct as of (5 December 2023).
Top goalscorers edit
| # | Player | Year(s) | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ghizlane Chebbak | 2007– | 71 | 23 |
| 2 | Ibtissam Jraïdi | 2009– | 58 | 13 |
| 3 | Rosella Ayane | 2021– | 31 | 10 |
| 4 | Sanaâ Mssoudy | 2017– | 33 | 8 |
| 5 | Salma Amani | 2012– | 34 | 7 |
| 6 | Imane Saoud | 2021– | 26 | 5 |
| 7 | Fatima Tagnaout | 2018– | 42 | 4 |
Most capped players edit
| Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ghizlane Chebbak | 71 | 23 | 2007– |
Competitive record edit
FIFA Women's World Cup edit
| FIFA Women's World Cup record | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD | |
| 1991 | did not enter | ||||||||
| 1995 | |||||||||
| 1999 | did not qualify | ||||||||
| 2003 | |||||||||
| 2007 | |||||||||
| 2011 | |||||||||
| 2015 | |||||||||
| 2019 | |||||||||
| 2023 | Round of 16 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10 | –8 | |
| Total | 1/9 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10 | –8 | |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Olympic Games edit
| Summer Olympics record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearances: 0 / 6 | ||||||||
| Year | Result | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 1996 | Did not enter | |||||||
| 2000 | ||||||||
| 2004 | ||||||||
| 2008 | Did not qualify | |||||||
| 2012 | ||||||||
| 2016 | Did not enter | |||||||
| 2020 | Did not qualify | |||||||
| 2024 | To be determined | |||||||
| 2028 | ||||||||
| Total | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Women's Africa Cup of Nations edit
| Women's Africa Cup of Nations record | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearances: 4 / 14 | |||||||||
| Year | Round | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | GD | |
| 1991 | did not enter | ||||||||
| 1995 | |||||||||
| 1998 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 9 | −5 | |
| 2000 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 13 | −12 | |
| 2002 | did not qualify | ||||||||
| 2004 | did not enter | ||||||||
| 2006 | did not qualify | ||||||||
| 2008 | |||||||||
| 2010 | |||||||||
| 2012 | |||||||||
| 2014 | |||||||||
| 2016 | |||||||||
| 2018 | |||||||||
| 2020 | Cancelled | ||||||||
| 2022 | Runners-up | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 5 | +4 | |
| 2024 | Qualified as hosts | ||||||||
| Total | Runners-up | 12 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 27 | −13 | |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Arab Women's Cup edit
Morocco lost to Algeria in the championship game of the first Arab Women's Cup in 2006 after defeating host Egypt 4–2 in the semi-finals.[36]
| Arab Women's Cup record | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearances: 1 | |||||||||
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 2006 | Runners-up | 2nd | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 3 | +9 |
| 2021 | did not enter | ||||||||
| Total | Runners-up | 1/1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 3 | +9 |
UNAF Women's Tournament edit
| UNAF Women's Tournament record | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearances: 1 | |||||||||
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 2009 | did not participate | ||||||||
| 2020 | Champion | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | +9 |
| Total | Champion | 1/2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | +9 |
Honours edit
Continental edit
- Runners-up: (1) 2022
Regional edit
- Champions: (1) 2020
- Runners-up: (1) 2006
- Runners-up: (1) 2021
International edit
- Champions: (1) 2022
Awards edit
- Second place: 2022, 2023
All−time record against FIFA recognized nations edit
The list shown below shows the Morocco national football team all−time international record against opposing nations.
*As of xxxxxx after match against xxxx.
- Key
| Against | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Confederation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
See also edit
- Sport in Morocco
- Football in Morocco
- Women's football in Morocco
- Football in Morocco
- Morocco women's national under-17 football team
- Morocco women's national under-20 football team
- Cultural significance of the Atlas lion
- Morocco national football team
- Morocco A' national football team
- Morocco national under-23 football team
- Morocco national under-20 football team
- Morocco national under-17 football team
Other football codes edit
References edit
Notes
Citations
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ Nowakowski, Wojciech (8 August 2023). "Morocco, Ireland, Portugal: All 8 Women's World Cup debutants and how far they made it". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
- ^ "Football row brings bitter Algeria-Morocco rivalry to forefront". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
- ^ "Arab Women's Football Cup - Egypt 2006". www.goalzz.com. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
- ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Morocco wins UNAF Women's Cup". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ "Tanzania emerged runners-up as Morocco win Unaf Women's Cup | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ "Wafcon returns with World Cup places at stake". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ Kasraoui, Safaa. "Wafcon: Morocco Beats Botswana, Qualifies for Women World Cup for 1st Time". Morocco World News.
- ^ Mothoagae, Keba (13 July 2022). "Morocco knocks Botswana out to reach 2022 WAFCON semifinals, 2023 World Cup". SportsBrief – Sport news. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ "Morocco is the first Arab team to qualify for the Women's World Cup – News Unrolled". News Unrolled. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ "StackPath". dailynewsegypt.com. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ "Morocco's women's national football team qualifies for the World Cup for the first time". Atalayar. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ "Morocco, Zambia qualify for Women's World Cup with WAFCON wins". ESPN.com. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Morocco stun holders Nigeria to reach TotalEnergies WAFCON final". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ "Morocco set up Wafcon final against South Africa". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ "South Africa beat Morocco to win first Wafcon title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ Kasraoui, Safaa. "Morocco Loses Wafcon Final To South Africa". Morocco World News.
- ^ "Germany beat Morocco's Atlas Lionesses 6-0 in national selection's first WC game". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Atlas Lionesses shellshocked after six-goal mauling by Germany". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ "Morocco stun higher-ranked Korea in historic upset". CAF. 30 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
- ^ "Morocco make history, reach Women's World Cup knockout stage". CAF. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ "Historic: Morocco's Women football team qualify for Round of 16 after beating Colombia 1-0". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ Bonesteel, Matt (3 August 2023). "Morocco is latest surprise in a World Cup that has been full of them". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "Women's World Cup: How Jamaica, South Africa and Morocco defied the odds to reach last 16". Sky Sports. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ Smyth, Rob (8 August 2023). "France 4-0 Morocco: Women's World Cup last 16 – as it happened". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
- ^ Media, P. A. (12 October 2023). "Spain's World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda appointed Morocco manager". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- ^ "Jorge Vilda appointed as manager of Morocco women's team after being sacked as Spain women's coach". Sky Sports. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- ^ "Morocco sweeps nominations in CAF awards for women's categories". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "What to know about Morocco's Atlas Lionesses". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- ^ "Morocco's proud Lionesses fall short of Africa Cup of Nations glory". Arab News. 24 July 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- ^ Staff Writer (14 August 2019). "FRMF Signs Contract with Puma after Adidas Deal Expiration". Morocco world news. from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
- ^ Hatim, Yahia (11 February 2020). "Morocco's Football Federation Hires Foreign Coaches, Local Assistants". Morocco World News.
- ^ Toutate, Issam (27 November 2020). "Reynald Pedros to Coach Moroccan Women's National Team". Morocco World News.
- ^ Ntungwabona, Ahmed (12 October 2023). "Jorge Vilda Takes the Helm: New Coach for Women's National Football Team". Morocco World News. p. 1. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- ^ [https://twitter.com/karlyboy71/status/1728149261722824897 Morocco 🇲🇦 squad to play Uganda 🇺🇬 Dec 1 and Dec 5]
- ^ "Championnat arabe dames: Le Maroc perd en finale face à l'Algérie". Le Matin (in French). 30 April 2006. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ "Africa – Women's Championship". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
External links edit
- Official website only (in Arabic and French)