World Cup 2018: A comprehensive look at Group B

Morocco

Morocco

are

one of the best defences in Africa, conceding no goals in the qualifiers

Morocco have gone under most people's radars, because of the relative unpopularity of their players, but they are huge underdogs and on their night are capable of shutting down Portugal for good.

Morocco qualified as the leaders in the final round of the African qualification rounds, ahead of enormous favourites Ivory Coast. What is even more impressive is that they did it without conceding a single goal in the process. That's right - they played 6 qualifying games, scoring 11 and conceding 0.

Coach: Herve Renard

Herve Renard is a name immortalised in African football after he won the AFCON with two different teams - with Zambia in 2012 and with Ivory Coast in 2015. He was handed the job of coaching the Moroccan team in 2016 and has repaid their faith by getting the team qualified for their first World Cup since 1998.

Morocco has generally had a few technically gifted players in their ranks, but have lacked the confidence as a team to leave any lasting impact. That is where Renard comes in. This Moroccan team genuinely looks confident and will be a dark horse for the tournament despite being in an unlucky group.

Morocco's squad for the World Cup

Benatia is probably the most famous name on the list. The defender is one of the best CBs in world football and is very solid at the back. He will be leading the Atlas Lions' back-line as well as the whole team in Russia.

Haiss and Dirar are experienced players as well and will play a good supporting role to Benatia as part of the defence. A friendly reminder once again that they conceded 0 goals in their qualifying campaign's final round.

Morocco will employ a 5 man midfield most probably, with Mbark Boussoufa as the anchor. He is one of the calmest players on the pitch, and very rarely puts a step wrong when he is playing for the national team.

Playing for Al-Jazira, Boussoufa has 3 goals and 6 assists to his name, but that's not his speciality. The 33-year-old has spent a huge chunk of time in the Belgian League, and has pretty much won everything there - The Belgian Footballer of the year (3), the Golden Boot (2), the Ebony Shoe (3).

To share the duties with him will be four from Amrabat, Ziyech, El Ahmadi and Belhanda and Harit. Not household names as of now, but every single one of them are good and the eventual sum is greater than its parts.

Their possession-based style of play is their biggest advantage, as they constantly press when they lose the ball and attack relentlessly when they have it. Up front will be Boutaib as the sole striker, who scored 4 goals during the final stage, just one behind Mohamed Salah.

The Ajax midfielder will use the World Cup as a platform to showcase his talents

Player to watch out for: Hakim Ziyech

Ziyech is Morocco's most important player, and the Ajax playmaker is rumoured to be leaving Ajax this season. His performances in Russia will be the on the radar of several teams, and rightly so.

Ziyech is the definition of an attacking midfielder - great passing, great vision and great dribbling. He is a delight to watch on the ball and is destined for greater things certainly after Russia.