FIFA said Azzedine Ounahi has become one of Morocco’s main attacking weapons at the 2026 World Cup after scoring twice in the 3-0 win over Canada that sent the Atlas Lions into the quarter-finals.
The 26-year-old midfielder was named player of the match after his second-half brace against the co-hosts, with Soufiane Rahimi adding a late third. Morocco will face France in the quarter-finals on July 9.
FIFA said Ounahi, one of Morocco’s breakout players at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has returned to the tournament with greater maturity and a more advanced role under coach Mohamed Ouahbi.
The report recalled former Spain coach Luis Enrique’s 2022 reaction to Ounahi’s display against Spain, when he asked who the Moroccan midfielder was after his performance in the last-16 match.
Former Mohammed VI Academy director Nasser Larguet told FIFA that Ounahi had kept his technical qualities while gaining confidence from four more years of experience.
Ounahi’s club career after Qatar has been uneven, including spells with Marseille, Panathinaikos and Girona, but he has retained his place in Morocco’s midfield. FIFA said his ball control, movement and ability to link play will be central against France.
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