Morocco Aims for Win Against Benin in June Friendly

FES, Morocco – The Moroccan national soccer team returns to action tonight against Benin in their second international friendly during the June break, hoping to bounce back from a recent, unconvincing performance against Tunisia. Touted as an essential matchup leading up to the 2026 World Cup draw, head coach Walid Regragui is under pressure to refine his squad and improve their FIFA ranking.

The match is set to kick off at 9 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT+1) and will be broadcast live on Arryadia HD. Morocco, fresh off a 2-0 victory against Tunisia, is aiming for their 12th consecutive win.

Despite the win over Tunisia, analysts noted a lackluster first half, with players like Youssef En-Nesyri and Sofyan Amrabat failing to impress. Regragui is expected to make changes to the lineup, with Ayoub El Kaabi pushing for a start after his impressive form at Olympiacos. Soufiane Rahimi also caught attention with a lively performance off the bench against Tunisia and may see more playing time.

Morocco may adjust their formation to a more compact setup, potentially utilizing a midfield trio of Targhalline, Ounahi, and El Khannouss that could offer increased stability. Meanwhile, Adam Masina’s strong showing in defense solidified his position alongside Jawad Al Yamiq. Achraf Hakimi remains crucial to Morocco’s attack.

The possible lineup could feature Munir in goal, with a defensive line of Hakimi, El Yamiq, Masina, and Belammari. The midfield could include Targhalline, Ounahi, and El Khannouss, while the forward line might place El Kaabi with supporting strikers Rahimi and Seghir.

On the opposing side, Benin comes into the match eager to end a seven-game winless streak. Their head coach, Gernot Rohr, has trimmed the squad, with striker Steve Mounie becoming a key figure, having scored three goals in World Cup qualifying. The Cheetahs are fully fit and will be led by their experienced internationals.

The anticipated outcome sees Morocco favored to dominate, with a predicted scoreline of 3-0. Should the Atlas Lions score early, they could seize momentum and expand their lead, continuing their impressive run.