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.

Morocco
Nickname(s)لبؤات أطلس (Lionesses of Atlas)
AssociationRoyal Moroccan Football Federation
Head coachJorge Vilda
CaptainGhizlane Chebbak
Most capsGhizlane Chebbak (73)
Top scorerGhizlane Chebbak (23)
Home stadiumStade Moulay Hassan
FIFA codeMAR
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 59 1 (14 June 2024)[1]
Highest52 (July – August 2003)
Lowest83 (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
Appearances1 (first in 2023)
Best resultRound of 16 (2023)
Women's Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances4 (first in 1998)
Best resultRunners-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

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

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

The Morocco women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Atlas Lionesses".[29][30]

Home stadium

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

Morocco'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–[31]

Results and fixtures

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

1 July Friendly Italy  0–0  Morocco Ferrara, Italy
18:15 UTC+2 Stadium: Paolo Mazza stadium
Referee: Ioanna Allayitou (Cyprus)
5 July International Friendly Switzerland  0–0  Morocco Winterthur, Switzerland
Stadium: Schützenwiese
Referee: Karoline Wacker (Germany)
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)
26 September International Friendly Morocco  2–6  Zambia Rabat
19:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Moulay Hassan Stadium
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)

2024

23 February 2024 (2024-02-23) 2024 Olympic qualifying Tunisia  1–2  Morocco Soliman, Tunisia
Stadium: Stade municipal de Soliman
28 February 2024 (2024-02-28) 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 (2024-04-05) 2024 Olympic qualifying Zambia  1–2  Morocco Ndola, Zambia
17:00 UTC+2
Stadium: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium
9 April 2024 (2024-04-09) 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 (2024-05-30) Friendly Morocco  2–1  DR Congo Berkane, Morocco
19:00 UTC+1
Report
Report (FRMF)
Stadium: Berkane Municipal Stadium
3 June 2024 (2024-06-03) 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

Position Name
Head coach Jorge Vilda
Assistant coach Vacant
Goalkeeping coach Vacant
Fitness coach Khadija Addal

Manager history

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for two Friendly game against  DR Congo on June 2024.[35]

Caps and goals accurate up to and including (5 December 2023).

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Khadija Er-Rmichi (1989-09-16) 16 September 1989 60 0 ASFAR
12 1GK Zineb El Arari (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 0 0 RS Berkane
22 1GK Inès Arouaissa (2001-06-30) 30 June 2001 1 0 Cannes
1GK Fatima Bambara (2002-05-11) 11 May 2002 Sporting Club Casablanca

2 2DF Zineb Redouani (2000-06-12) 12 June 2000 42 2 ASFAR
3 2DF Nouhaïla Benzina (1998-05-11) 11 May 1998 21 0 ASFAR
4 2DF Siham Boukhami (1992-02-01) 1 February 1992 9 1 ASFAR
13 2DF Sabah Seghir (2000-09-27) 27 September 2000 22 1 Basel
14 2DF Aziza Rabbah (1986-07-04) 4 July 1986 ASFAR
17 2DF Hanane Aït El Haj (1994-11-02) 2 November 1994 55 1 AS FAR
21 2DF Yasmin Mrabet (1999-08-08) 8 August 1999 26 3 Levante Las Planas

5 3MF Sarah Kassi (2003-09-09) 9 September 2003 7 0 Fleury
6 3MF Élodie Nakkach (1995-01-20) 20 January 1995 47 3 Servette
10 3MF Najat Badri (1988-05-19) 19 May 1988 33 5 ASFAR
16 3MF Anissa Lahmari (1997-02-17) 17 February 1997 6 1 Levante Las Planas
23 3MF Inès Kbida (2003-05-10) 10 May 2003 Marseille
3MF Fatima Tagnaout (1999-01-20) 20 January 1999 43 4 ASFAR

7 4FW Ghizlane Chebbak (captain) (1991-02-19) 19 February 1991 71 23 Levante Las Planas
8 4FW Rosella Ayane (1996-03-16) 16 March 1996 31 10 Tottenham Hotspur
9 4FW Ibtissam Jraïdi (1992-12-09) 9 December 1992 58 13 Al Ahli
11 4FW Sofia Bouftini (2002-01-25) 25 January 2002 8 0 RS Berkane
15 4FW Jade Nassi (2003-04-26) 26 April 2003 Reims
18 4FW Kenza Chapelle (2001-07-01) 1 July 2001 3 0 Strasbourg
19 4FW Sakina Ouzraoui (2001-08-29) 29 August 2001 18 1 Anderlecht
20 4FW Imane Saoud (2002-06-06) 6 June 2002 26 5 Servette
4FW Safae Banouk (2000-01-31) 31 January 2000 ASFAR

Recent call-ups

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
GK Assia Zouhair (1991-04-30) 30 April 1991 10 0 CAK v.  Uganda, 5 December 2023

DF Maissen Bourhrine (2004-10-16) 16 October 2004 Lyon Reserves v.  Bosnia and Herzegovina, 21 February 2023
DF Fatima El Ghazouani (2005-05-11) 11 May 2005 Quevilly-Rouen v.  Switzerland, 5 July 2023
DF Rkia Mazrouai (2002-05-11) 11 May 2002 2 0 Gent 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
DF Ghizlane Chhiri (1994-09-11) 11 September 1994 7 0 ASFAR v.  Namibia, 31 October 2023
DF Meryem Hajri (1994-09-14) 14 September 1994 12 6 Sporting Club Casablanca v.  Uganda, 5 December 2023
DF Nesryne El Chad INJ (2003-03-13) 13 March 2003 23 3 Lille v.  Uganda, 5 December 2023
DF Samia Fikri (1999-08-02) 2 August 1999 3 0 Montauban v.  Uganda, 5 December 2023
DF Maryame Atiq (1998-01-24) 24 January 1998 3 0 EdF Logroño v.  Zambia, 9 April 2024

MF Nour Imane Addi (1997-06-10) 10 June 1997 Celtic v.  Tunisia, 28 February 2024
MF Djennah Chierif (2006-01-10) 10 January 2006 Feyenoord v.  Tunisia, 28 February 2024
MF Samya Masnaoui (2005-09-16) 16 September 2005 Ajax Youth v.  Bosnia and Herzegovina, 21 February 2023
MF Kawtar Ait Omar (2004-02-19) 19 February 2004 Fortuna Sittard v.   Switzerland, 5 July 2023
MF Salma Amani (1989-11-28) 28 November 1989 35 7 Al-Ittihad v.  Zambia, 26 September 2023
MF Samya Hassani (2000-01-03) 3 January 2000 7 3 Telstar v.  Namibia, 31 October 2023
MF Ibtissam Bouharat (1990-01-02) 2 January 1990 2 1 KV Mechelen v.  Uganda, 5 December 2023
MF Sana Daoudi (1998-03-12) 12 March 1998 Guingamp v.  Uganda, 5 December 2023
MF Salma Bouguerch (1998-11-04) 4 November 1998 Wydad Athletic Club v.  Zambia, 9 April 2024
MF Inés Faddi (2001-04-03) 3 April 2001 1 0 Granada v.  Zambia, 9 April 2024
MF Rania Boutiebi (2004-03-04) 4 March 2004 Club Brugge v.  Zambia, 9 April 2024

FW Anissa Belkasmi (2002-07-09) 9 July 2002 Orléans v.   Switzerland, 5 July 2023
FW Fatima Zohra Gharbi (2001-05-15) 15 May 2001 3 0 Europa 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
FW Sanaâ Mssoudy (1999-12-30) 30 December 1999 31 8 ASFAR v.  Namibia, 31 October 2023
FW Yasmine Zouhir (2005-07-16) 16 July 2005 Roma v.  Zambia, 9 April 2024

Previous squads

FIFA Women's World Cup
Africa Women Cup of Nations
UNAF Women's Tournament
Malta International Women's Football Tournament

Player records

*Active players in bold, statistics correct as of (22 February 2024).

Top goalscorers

# Player Year(s) Caps Goals
1Ghizlane Chebbak2007–7323
2Ibtissam Jraïdi2009–6016
3Rosella Ayane2021–3110
4Sanaâ Mssoudy2017–348
5Salma Amani2012–357
6Imane Saoud2021–295
7Fatima Tagnaout2018–466

Most capped players

Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Ghizlane Chebbak 73 23 2007–

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record
Year Result GP W D* L GF GA GD
1991did not enter
1995
1999did not qualify
2003
2007
2011
2015
2019
2023Round of 164202210–8
2027To be determined
Total1/94202210–8
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Olympic Games

Summer Olympics record
Appearances: 0 / 6
Year Result GP W D L GF GA GD
1996Did not enter
2000
2004
2008Did not qualify
2012
2016Did not enter
2020Did not qualify
2024
2028To be determined
Total-0000000

Women's Africa Cup of Nations

Women's Africa Cup of Nations record
Appearances: 4 / 14
Year Round GP W D* L GS GA GD
1991did not enter
1995
1998Group stage311149−5
2000Group stage3003113−12
2002did not qualify
2004did not enter
2006did not qualify
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020Cancelled
2022Runners-up641195+4
2024Qualified as hosts
TotalRunners-up125251427−13
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

All-Africa Games

All-Africa Games record
Appearances: 1
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
2003Did not enter
2007
2011
2015
2019Bronze Medal3rd5401127
2023Group Stage7th200206
All TotalBronze Medal2/674031213

Arab Women's Cup

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
2006Runners-up2nd4211123+9
2021did not enter
TotalRunners-up1/14211123+9

UNAF Women's Tournament

UNAF Women's Tournament record
Appearances: 1
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA GD
2009did not participate
2020Champion1st4400112+9
TotalChampion1/24400112+9

Honours

Continental

Runners-up: (1) 2022

Regional

Champions: (1) 2020
Runners-up: (1) 2006
Runners-up: (1) 2021

International

Champions: (1) 2022

Awards

Second place: 2022, 2023

All−time record against FIFA recognized nations

The list shown below shows the Morocco national football team all−time international record against opposing nations.
[38] *As of xxxxxx after match against xxxx.

Key
  Positive balance (more wins than losses)
  Neutral balance (as many wins as losses)
  Negative balance (more losses than wins)
Against Pld W D L GF GA GD Confederation
78 27 19 32 93 118

See also

Other football codes

References

Notes

    Citations

    1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
    2. 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.
    3. "Football row brings bitter Algeria-Morocco rivalry to forefront". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
    4. "Arab Women's Football Cup - Egypt 2006". www.goalzz.com. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
    5. Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Morocco wins UNAF Women's Cup". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
    6. "Tanzania emerged runners-up as Morocco win Unaf Women's Cup | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
    7. "Wafcon returns with World Cup places at stake". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
    8. Kasraoui, Safaa. "Wafcon: Morocco Beats Botswana, Qualifies for Women World Cup for 1st Time". Morocco World News.
    9. Mothoagae, Keba (13 July 2022). "Morocco knocks Botswana out to reach 2022 WAFCON semifinals, 2023 World Cup". SportsBrief – Sport news. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
    10. "Morocco is the first Arab team to qualify for the Women's World Cup – News Unrolled". News Unrolled. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
    11. "StackPath". dailynewsegypt.com. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
    12. "Morocco's women's national football team qualifies for the World Cup for the first time". Atalayar. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
    13. "Morocco, Zambia qualify for Women's World Cup with WAFCON wins". ESPN.com. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
    14. Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Morocco stun holders Nigeria to reach TotalEnergies WAFCON final". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
    15. "Morocco set up Wafcon final against South Africa". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
    16. "South Africa beat Morocco to win first Wafcon title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
    17. Kasraoui, Safaa. "Morocco Loses Wafcon Final To South Africa". Morocco World News.
    18. "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.
    19. Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Atlas Lionesses shellshocked after six-goal mauling by Germany". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
    20. "Morocco stun higher-ranked Korea in historic upset". CAF. 30 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
    21. "Morocco make history, reach Women's World Cup knockout stage". CAF. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
    22. "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.
    23. 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.
    24. "Women's World Cup: How Jamaica, South Africa and Morocco defied the odds to reach last 16". Sky Sports. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
    25. 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.
    26. 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.
    27. "Jorge Vilda appointed as manager of Morocco women's team after being sacked as Spain women's coach". Sky Sports. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
    28. "Morocco sweeps nominations in CAF awards for women's categories". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
    29. Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "What to know about Morocco's Atlas Lionesses". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
    30. "Morocco's proud Lionesses fall short of Africa Cup of Nations glory". Arab News. 24 July 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
    31. 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.
    32. Hatim, Yahia (11 February 2020). "Morocco's Football Federation Hires Foreign Coaches, Local Assistants". Morocco World News.
    33. Toutate, Issam (27 November 2020). "Reynald Pedros to Coach Moroccan Women's National Team". Morocco World News.
    34. 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.
    35. Morocco 🇲🇦 squad list to play RD Congo 🇨🇩 in two friendlies May 30 June 3
    36. "Championnat arabe dames: Le Maroc perd en finale face à l'Algérie". Le Matin (in French). 30 April 2006. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
    37. "Africa – Women's Championship". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
    38. "Morocco [Women] - Historical results". 12 October 2023.
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