The Morocco women's national football team (Arabic: منتخب المغرب لكرة القدم للسيدات) 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 (The Atlas Lionesses ) | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Royal Moroccan Football Federation | ||
Head coach | Jorge Vilda | ||
Captain | Ghizlane Chebbak | ||
Most caps | Ghizlane Chebbak (73) | ||
Top scorer | Ghizlane Chebbak (23) | ||
Home stadium | Stade Moulay Hassan | ||
FIFA code | MAR | ||
| |||
FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 59 (16 August 2024)[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 Spain, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt.[3]
History
editOn 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
editOn 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] This made them the lowest ranked nation to qualify for the knock-out stages.[23][24] In the game against South Korea, Moroccan player Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to play in a World Cup match wearing a hijab.[25] Morocco ended their journey in the Round of 16, after losing 4–0 to France.[26]
On 12 October 2023, Spanish coach Jorge Vilda was announced as the new head coach of the Moroccan women's team.[27][28] On 14 November 2023, Morocco was nominated for the 2023 Best African Women’s National Team of the Year by CAF.[29]
Nicknames
editThe Morocco women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Atlas Lionesses".[30][31]
Home stadium
editMorocco'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
editMorocco's home colours are most red shirts and green shorts and socks, away colours are usually all white or all green.
Kit provider | Period |
---|---|
Puma | 1998–2002 |
Nike | 2003–2006 |
Puma | 2007–2011 |
Adidas | 2012–2019 |
Puma | 2019–[32] |
Results and fixtures
editThe 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
edit22 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 |
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
edit23 February 2024 2024 Olympic qualifying | Tunisia | 1–2 | Morocco | Soliman, Tunisia |
|
Stadium: Stade municipal de Soliman |
28 February 2024 2024 Olympic qualifying | Morocco | 4–1 (6–2 agg.) | Tunisia | Rabat |
|
Stadium: Moulay Hassan Stadium | |||
Note: Morocco won 6–2 on aggregate. |
5 April 2024 2024 Olympic qualifying | Zambia | 1–2 | Morocco | Ndola, Zambia |
17:00 UTC+2 |
|
Stadium: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium |
9 April 2024 2024 Olympic qualifying | Morocco | 0–2 (a.e.t.) (2–3 agg.) | Zambia | Rabat |
20:00 UTC±0 | Stadium: Moulay Hassan Stadium Referee: Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda) | |||
Note: Zambia won 3–2 on aggregate. |
30 May 2024 Friendly | Morocco | 2–1 | DR Congo | Berkane, Morocco |
19:00 UTC+1 | Report Report (FRMF) |
Stadium: Berkane Municipal Stadium |
3 June 2024 Friendly | Morocco | 3–2 | DR Congo | Berkane, Morocco |
19:00 UTC+1 |
|
Stadium: Berkane Municipal Stadium Referee: Emna Ajbouni (Tunisia) |
sources: "Morocco Results and Fixtures". Soccerway.com. "Morocco – Soccer – Team Profile". globalsportsarchive.
Coaching staff
editPosition | Name |
---|---|
Head coach | Jorge Vilda |
Assistant coach | Vacant |
Goalkeeping coach | Vacant |
Fitness coach | Khadija Addal |
Manager history
edit- Kelly Lindsey (2020)[33]
- Reynald Pedros (2020–2023)[34]
- Jorge Vilda (2023–present)[35]
Players
editCurrent squad
editThe following players were called up for two friendly match against DR Congo in June 2024.[36]
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 | Zineb El Arari | 28 November 1999 | 0 | 0 | RS Berkane |
22 | GK | Inès Arouaissa | 30 June 2001 | 1 | 0 | Saint-Malo |
GK | Fatima Bambara | 11 May 2002 | Sporting Club Casablanca | |||
2 | DF | Zineb Redouani | 12 June 2000 | 42 | 2 | ASFAR |
3 | DF | Nouhaïla Benzina | 11 May 1998 | 21 | 0 | ASFAR |
4 | DF | Siham Boukhami | 1 February 1992 | 9 | 1 | ASFAR |
13 | DF | Sabah Seghir | 27 September 2000 | 22 | 1 | Basel |
14 | DF | Aziza Rabbah | 4 July 1986 | ASFAR | ||
17 | DF | Hanane Aït El Haj | 2 November 1994 | 55 | 1 | Valencia |
21 | DF | Yasmin Mrabet | 8 August 1999 | 26 | 3 | Valencia |
5 | MF | Sarah Kassi | 9 September 2003 | 7 | 0 | Fleury |
6 | MF | Élodie Nakkach | 20 January 1995 | 47 | 3 | Servette |
10 | MF | Najat Badri | 19 May 1988 | 33 | 5 | ASFAR |
16 | MF | Anissa Lahmari | 17 February 1997 | 6 | 1 | Levante |
23 | MF | Inès Kbida | 10 May 2003 | Marseille | ||
MF | Fatima Tagnaout | 20 January 1999 | 43 | 4 | Sevilla | |
7 | FW | Ghizlane Chebbak (captain) | 19 February 1991 | 71 | 23 | Levante Badalona |
8 | FW | Rosella Ayane | 16 March 1996 | 31 | 10 | Chicago Red Stars |
9 | FW | Ibtissam Jraïdi | 9 December 1992 | 58 | 13 | Al Ahli |
11 | FW | Sofia Bouftini | 25 January 2002 | 8 | 0 | RS Berkane |
15 | FW | Jade Nassi | 26 April 2003 | Reims | ||
18 | FW | Kenza Chapelle | 1 July 2001 | 3 | 0 | Strasbourg |
19 | FW | Sakina Ouzraoui | 29 August 2001 | 18 | 1 | UD Tenerife |
20 | FW | Imane Saoud | 6 June 2002 | 26 | 5 | Servette |
FW | Safae Banouk | 31 January 2000 | ASFAR |
Recent call-ups
editThe 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
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Assia Zouhair | 30 April 1991 | 10 | 0 | CAK | v. Uganda, 5 December 2023 |
DF | Maryame Atiq | 24 January 1998 | 3 | 0 | SE AEM | v. Zambia, 9 April 2024 |
DF | Meryem Hajri | 14 September 1994 | 12 | 6 | Sporting Club Casablanca | v. Uganda, 5 December 2023 |
DF | Nesryne El Chad INJ | 13 March 2003 | 23 | 3 | Lille | v. Uganda, 5 December 2023 |
DF | Samia Fikri | 2 August 1999 | 3 | 0 | Rodez | v. Uganda, 5 December 2023 |
DF | Ghizlane Chhiri | 11 September 1994 | 7 | 0 | ASFAR | v. Namibia, 31 October 2023 |
MF | Salma Bouguerch | 4 November 1998 | Wydad Athletic Club | v. Zambia, 9 April 2024 | ||
MF | Inés Faddi | 3 April 2001 | 1 | 0 | SE AEM | v. Zambia, 9 April 2024 |
MF | Rania Boutiebi | 4 March 2004 | Club YLA | v. Zambia, 9 April 2024 | ||
MF | Nour Imane Addi | 10 June 1997 | Unattached | v. Tunisia, 28 February 2024 | ||
MF | Djennah Cherif | 10 January 2006 | Thonon Evian | v. Tunisia, 28 February 2024 | ||
MF | Ibtissam Bouharat | 2 January 1990 | 2 | 1 | Retired | v. Uganda, 5 December 2023 |
MF | Sana Daoudi | 12 March 1998 | Guingamp | v. Uganda, 5 December 2023 | ||
MF | Samya Hassani | 3 January 2000 | 7 | 3 | Telstar | v. Namibia, 31 October 2023 |
MF | Salma Amani | 28 November 1989 | 35 | 7 | Al-Ittihad | v. Zambia, 26 September 2023 |
FW | Yasmine Zouhir | 16 July 2005 | Betis | v. Zambia, 9 April 2024 | ||
FW | Sanaâ Mssoudy | 30 December 1999 | 31 | 8 | ASFAR | v. Namibia, 31 October 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 (22 February 2024).
Top goalscorers
edit# | Player | Year(s) | Caps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ghizlane Chebbak | 2007– | 76 | 23 |
2 | Ibtissam Jraïdi | 2009– | 64 | 20 |
3 | Rosella Ayane | 2021– | 31 | 10 |
4 | Sanaâ Mssoudy | 2017– | 34 | 8 |
5 | Salma Amani | 2012– | 35 | 7 |
6 | Imane Saoud | 2021– | 29 | 5 |
7 | Fatima Tagnaout | 2018– | 46 | 6 |
Most capped players
editRank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ghizlane Chebbak | 76 | 23 | 2007– |
Competitive record
editFIFA Women's World Cup
editFIFA 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 | |
2027 | To be determined | ||||||||
Total | 1/10 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10 | –8 |
Olympic Games
editSummer 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 | ||||||||
2028 | To be determined | |||||||
Total | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Women's Africa Cup of Nations
editWomen'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.
All-Africa Games
editAll-Africa Games record | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Appearances: 1 | |||||||||
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
2003 | Did not enter | ||||||||
2007 | |||||||||
2011 | |||||||||
2015 | |||||||||
2019 | Bronze Medal | 3rd | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 7 | |
2023 | Group Stage | 7th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | |
All Total | Bronze Medal | 2/6 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 13 |
Arab Women's Cup
editMorocco 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.[37]
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
editUNAF 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
editContinental
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
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
editReferences
editNotes
Citations
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ 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. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ "Morocco's women's national football team qualifies for the World Cup for the first time". Atalayar. 14 July 2022. 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.
- ^ "Benzina becomes first to wear hijab at World Cup". BBC Sport. 30 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 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. Archived 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.
- ^ Morocco 🇲🇦 squad list to play RD Congo 🇨🇩 in two friendlies May 30 June 3
- ^ "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)
- Morocco profile at FIFA.com