Moroccan stars set to make strong mark in 2026-2027 Champions League

Tuesday 08 September 2026 - 18:10

By: Azzat Manal

Moroccan stars set to make strong mark in 2026-2027 Champions League

Moroccan football is set for a strong presence in the 2026-2027 UEFA Champions League, with a growing number of national team players and emerging talents featuring for some of Europe’s most prominent clubs.

The expanding Moroccan contingent reflects the progress made by the country’s players in recent years. Following impressive performances with the Atlas Lions and their respective clubs, several Moroccan footballers have established themselves as important figures in European competitions.

Among the most prominent names is Achraf Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain right-back and one of the leading Moroccan players in European football. He is joined by Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United and Brahim Díaz of Real Madrid, while young midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi has become part of Manchester City’s squad.

Another notable addition is Ismael Saibari, who recently joined Bayern Munich. The Moroccan presence also includes Bilal El Khannouss at Stuttgart, Neil El Aynaoui at RB Leipzig, Abde Ezzalzouli at Real Betis, Hamza Igamane and Osame Sahraoui at Lille, Ilias Akhomach at Villarreal and Oussama Targhalline at Feyenoord.

The Champions League campaign also offers an important platform for a new generation of Moroccan players. Among them are Moncef Zekri, a left-back who represented Morocco at under-17 level and joined Sporting CP during the summer transfer window, as well as promising PSV Eindhoven youngster Amir Bouhamdi.

Under the competition’s expanded league-phase format, 36 teams will compete for a place in the knockout rounds. The Moroccan players are consequently set to face some of the biggest names in European football during a demanding opening phase.

Hakimi and defending champions Paris Saint-Germain face a particularly challenging schedule, with matches against Barcelona, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Roma, Galatasaray, Villarreal, Slovan Bratislava and Como.

Brahim Díaz and Real Madrid will meet Inter Milan, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, Roma, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk, LASK and AEK Athens, while Saibari and Bayern Munich will face Arsenal, Atlético Madrid, Manchester United, Real Betis, Bodø/Glimt, Slavia Prague, Lille and Viking.

Manchester City, featuring Bouaddi, will also face a demanding series of fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Sporting CP, Porto, Napoli, RB Leipzig, AEK Athens and Lens.

The growing number of Moroccan players competing at this level highlights the increasing depth of the country’s football talent. Their presence across major European leagues also underlines the impact of Morocco’s player-development system, both domestically and through the experience gained by young players abroad.

For Moroccan supporters, the new Champions League season will provide another opportunity to follow the progress of established stars while watching a new generation attempt to make its mark on the European stage. With several players entering the competition at different stages of their careers, Morocco’s representation reflects the country’s growing influence in elite European football.