Morocco women's national football team

Morocco
Nickname(s)لبؤات أطلس (The Atlas Lionesses )
AssociationRoyal Moroccan Football Federation
Head coachJorge Vilda
CaptainGhizlane Chebbak
Most capsGhizlane Chebbak (85)
Top scorerIbtissam Jraïdi (30)
Home stadiumVarious
FIFA codeMAR
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 60 (12 June 2025)[1]
Highest52 (July – August 2003)
Lowest83 (July 2019)
First international
 South Africa 1–1  
(Pretoria, South Africa; 5 July 1998)
Biggest win
  8–0 Lebanon 
(Alexandria, Egypt; 23 April 2006)
Biggest defeat
 Nigeria 8–0  
(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)

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.

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

The Journey of Morocco’s Women’s National Football Team

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]

Milestones in Moroccan Women’s Football

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]

Evolution of Women’s Football in Morocco

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

The Morocco women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Atlas Lionesses".[30][31]

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–[32]

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

2024

25 October 2024 (2024-10-25) Friendly   4–1  Tanzania Casablanca, Morocco
19:00 UTC+1
  • Jraïdi 27'
  • Bahera 56' (o.g.)
  • Chebbak 73'
  • Chapelle 78'
Report
Stadium: Père Jégo Stadium
Referee: Yacine Samassa (Mauritania)
29 October 2024 (2024-10-29) Friendly   7–0  Senegal Casablanca, Morocco
19:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Père Jégo Stadium
Referee: Teneba Bagayoko (Mali)
28 November 2024 (2024-11-28) Friendly   3–1  Botswana Tétouan, Morocco
18:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Saniat Rmel Stadium
Referee: Aida Sy (Senegal)
3 December 2024 (2024-12-03) Friendly   1–0  Mali Tétouan, Morocco
18:00 UTC+1 Jraïdi 7' Report Stadium: Saniat Rmel Stadium
Referee: Zomadre Kore (Ivory Coast)

2025

21 February 2025 (2025-02-21) Friendly   1–0  Ghana Casablanca, Morocco
18:00 UTC+1 Ouzraoui Diki 90+1' Report Stadium: Père Jégo Stadium
25 February 2025 (2025-02-25) Friendly   1–1  Haiti Casablanca, Morocco
18:00 UTC+1 Chebbak 43' Report Mondesir 39' Stadium: Père Jégo Stadium
4 April 2025 (2025-04-04) Friendly   3–1  Tunisia Casablanca, Morocco
18:00 UTC+0 Report
  • Shaiek 48'
Stadium: Père Jégo Stadium
Referee: Natacha Konan Akissi (Ivory Coast)
8 April 2025 (2025-04-08) Friendly   0–1  Cameroon Casablanca, Morocco
18:00 UTC+1 Report Onguéné 18' Stadium: Père Jégo Stadium
4 June 2025 (2025-06-04) Friendly   5–1  Kenya Tangier, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1 Report Adhiambo 20' Stadium: Stade du village sportif de Tanger
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
Referee: Khaoula El Mehdi (Morocco)
15 June 2025 (2025-06-15) Friendly   1–0  Cape Verde Salé, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1 Jraïdi 66' Report Stadium: Mohamed VI Football Complex
19 June 2025 (2025-06-19) Friendly   4–2  Malawi Kenitra, Morocco
20:30 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Kenitra Municipal Stadium
Referee: Aida Sy (Senegal)
28 June 2025 (2025-06-28) Friendly   4–0  Tanzania Rabat, Morocco
20:30 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Olympic Stadium
Referee: Zakia El Grini (Morocco)
5 July WAFCON 2024 GS   2–2  Zambia Rabat, Morocco
21:00
Report Stadium: Olympic Stadium
Referee: Shamirah Nabadda (Uganda)
9 July WAFCON 2024 GS DR Congo  2–4   Rabat, Morocco
20:00 Report
Stadium: Olympic Stadium
Referee: Antsino Twanyanyukwa (Namibia)
12 July WAFCON 2024 GS   1-0  Senegal Rabat, Morocco
20:00 Mrabet 45+2' (pen.) Report Stadium: Olympic Stadium
Referee: Shamirah Nabadda (Uganda)

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

Caps and goals accurate up to and including (12 July 2025).

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Khadija Er-Rmichi (1989-09-16)16 September 1989 (aged 35) 23 0 AS FAR
12 1GK Fatima Zahra El Jebraoui (2007-08-08)8 August 2007 (aged 17) 0 0 Wydad AC
22 1GK Inès Arouaissa (2001-06-30)30 June 2001 (aged 24) 3 0 Saint-Malo
23 1GK Hind Hasnaoui (1996-09-13)13 September 1996 (aged 28) 0 0 AS FAR

2 2DF Zineb Redouani (2000-06-12)12 June 2000 (aged 25) 21 1 AS FAR
3 2DF Nouhaila Benzina (1998-05-11)11 May 1998 (aged 27) 3 0 AS FAR
4 2DF Siham Boukhami (1992-02-01)1 February 1992 (aged 33) 9 1 AS FAR
13 2DF Sabah Seghir (2000-09-27)27 September 2000 (aged 24) 5 0 Basel
14 2DF Aziza Rabbah (1986-07-04)4 July 1986 (aged 39) 2 0 AS FAR
15 2DF Soumia Hady (1998-06-30)30 June 1998 (aged 27) 0 0 Wydad AC
17 2DF Hanane Aït El Haj (1994-11-02)2 November 1994 (aged 30) 12 0 Valencia
21 2DF Yasmin Mrabet (1999-08-08)8 August 1999 (aged 25) 10 0 Valencia

5 3MF Sarah Kassi (2003-09-09)9 September 2003 (aged 21) 5 0 Le Havre
6 3MF Élodie Nakkach (1995-01-20)20 January 1995 (aged 30) 30 1 Al-Ahli
7 3MF Ghizlane Chebbak (Captain) (1990-02-22)22 February 1990 (aged 35) 75 22 Levante Badalona
10 3MF Najat Badri (1988-05-19)19 May 1988 (aged 37) 20 2 AS FAR
16 3MF Anissa Lahmari (1997-02-17)17 February 1997 (aged 28) 8 1 Levante
18 3MF Sanaâ Mssoudy (1999-12-30)30 December 1999 (aged 25) 15 3 AS FAR
24 3MF Imène El Ghazouani (2000-06-09)9 June 2000 (aged 25) 3 0 Servette

8 4FW Kenza Chapelle (2002-08-22)22 August 2002 (aged 22) 6 1 Strasbourg
9 4FW Ibtissam Jraïdi (1992-12-09)9 December 1992 (aged 32) 40 15 Al-Ahli
11 4FW Fatima Tagnaout (1999-01-20)20 January 1999 (aged 26) 35 5 AS FAR
19 4FW Sakina Ouzraoui Diki (2001-08-29)29 August 2001 (aged 23) 10 2 Tenerife
20 4FW Imane Saoud (2002-06-06)6 June 2002 (aged 23) 12 2 Nantes

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 Fatima Bambara (2002-05-11) 11 May 2002 Sporting Club Casablanca v.  DR Congo, June 2024
GK Zineb El Arari (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 0 0 RS Berkane v.  Uganda, 8 April 2025

DF Maryame Atiq (1998-01-24) 24 January 1998 3 0 SE AEM v.  Zambia, 9 April 2024
DF Nesryne El Chad (2003-03-13) 13 March 2003 23 3 Lille v.  Mali, 3 December 2024
DF Zoubida El Bastali (2002-08-09) 9 August 2002 Wydad AC v.  Mali, 3 December 2024
DF Rkia Mazrouai (2002-05-11) 11 May 2002 RS Berkane v.  Mali, 3 December 2024
DF Djennah Cherif (2006-01-10) 10 January 2006 Thonon Evian v.  Uganda, 8 April 2025
DF Fatima El Ghazouani (2005-05-11) 11 May 2005 Lens v.  Uganda, 8 April 2025
DF Ghizlane Chhiri (1994-09-11) 11 September 1994 7 0 ASFAR v.  Malawi, 19 June 2025
DF Najet BelHabib v.  Malawi, 19 June 2025

MF Inès Kbida (2003-05-10) 10 May 2003 Marseille v.  DR Congo, June 2024
MF Inés Faddi (2001-04-03) 3 April 2001 1 0 SE AEM v.  Zambia, 9 April 2024
MF Nour Imane Addi (1997-06-10) 10 June 1997 2 Albergaria v.  Tunisia, 28 February 2024
MF Salma Amani (1989-11-28) 28 November 1989 Brooklyn FC v.  Senegal,29 October 2024
MF Zineb Erroudany (2003-11-01) 1 November 2003 ASFAR v.  Mali, 3 December 2024
MF Salma Bouguerch (1998-11-04) 4 November 1998 Wydad AC v.  Malawi, 19 June 2025
MF Imane Touriss (2005-02-11) 11 February 2005 Guingamp v.  Malawi, 19 June 2025

FW Sofia Bouftini (2002-01-25) 25 January 2002 8 0 Wydad AC v.  DR Congo, June 2024
FW Safae Banouk (2000-01-31) 31 January 2000 ASFAR v.  DR Congo, June 2024
FW Yasmine Zouhir (2005-07-16) 16 July 2005 Betis v.  Zambia, 9 April 2024
FW Rosella Ayane (1996-03-16) 16 March 1996 31 10 Chicago Red Stars v.  Uganda, 8 April 2025
FW Jade Nassi (2003-04-26) 26 April 2003 Reims v.  Malawi, 19 June 2025
FW Rania Boutiebi (2004-03-04) 4 March 2004 Club YLA v.  Malawi, 19 June 2025

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 (28 June 2025).

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

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
2027 To be determined
2031 To be determined
2035 To be determined
Total 1/10 4 2 0 2 2 10 –8

Olympic Games

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
2028 To be determined
Total - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Women's Africa Cup of Nations

Women's Africa Cup of Nations record
Appearances: 4 / 13
Year Round GP W D* L GS GA GD
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
2026 Qualified as hosts
Total Runners-up 12 5 2 5 14 27 −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
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

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.[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

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

Major competitions

Runners-up: (1) 2022

Regional

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

Other

Champions: (1) 2022

Awards

Second place: 2022, 2023

See also

Other football codes

References

Notes

Citations

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  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. ^ "Benzina becomes first to wear hijab at World Cup". BBC Sport. 30 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ "Jorge Vilda appointed as manager of Morocco women's team after being sacked as Spain women's coach". Sky Sports. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  29. ^ "Morocco sweeps nominations in CAF awards for women's categories". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  30. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "What to know about Morocco's Atlas Lionesses". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  31. ^ "Morocco's proud Lionesses fall short of Africa Cup of Nations glory". Arab News. 24 July 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  32. ^ 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.
  33. ^ Hatim, Yahia (11 February 2020). "Morocco's Football Federation Hires Foreign Coaches, Local Assistants". Morocco World News.
  34. ^ Toutate, Issam (27 November 2020). "Reynald Pedros to Coach Moroccan Women's National Team". Morocco World News.
  35. ^ 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.
  36. ^ Karakhi, Mourad (24 June 2025). "Jorge Vilda unveils the women's national team squad for the Africa Cup of Nations". snrtnews.com. Rabat: SNRT. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  37. ^ "Championnat arabe dames: Le Maroc perd en finale face à l'Algérie". Le Matin (in French). 30 April 2006. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  38. ^ "Africa – Women's Championship". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 October 2022.