Morocco vs Ecuador – News and Probable Lineups

On the pitch for the first time since their contentious crowning as 2025 Africa Cup of Nations champions, Morocco faces Ecuador at the Metropolitano Stadium on Friday in an international friendly.

Despite the Atlas Lions experiencing a 1-0 loss to Senegal in the chaotic AFCON final back in January, CAF later reversed the result, awarding the title with a 3-0 forfeit to the host nation earlier this month.

Match overview

The 2025 AFCON final brimmed with drama, reaching a peak of controversy in the closing moments when play paused after Senegal left the field following a penalty awarded to Morocco, right after the Teranga Lions had a goal disallowed.

When play resumed, the West African team received a chance when Brahim Diaz missed a Panenka penalty before Pape Gueye scored in extra time, granting victory to Pape Thiaw’s squad.

However, two months later, CAF has stripped Senegal of the continental title, confirming they violated AFCON regulations by leaving the pitch without the referee’s approval, thus declaring Morocco as champions.

While Senegal intends to challenge the ruling, the final status remains ambiguous; for the time being, the continent’s football authority has officially recognized the tournament host as African champions, ending the nation’s 50-year drought for the trophy.

Based on recent performances, Morocco has not faced defeat since August 2025, competing in 24 matches during that span (W22, D2) while also securing their place for the 2026 World Cup, positioning them well ahead of Friday’s friendly.

This match marks the debut under newly appointed head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who succeeded Walid Regragui earlier this month, as the Atlas Lions prepare for their initial senior encounter with Ecuador.

A matchup with Paraguay follows just four days later, with both games serving as preparation against South American teams before Morocco’s World Cup opener against Brazil, and subsequently matches against Scotland and Haiti.

Ecuador also embarks on their global campaign against African adversaries, taking on Ivory Coast before facing Curacao and Germany, making this friendly a significant preparatory fixture for both teams.

Like Morocco, the Tricolours enter this match on a considerable unbeaten streak, having avoided defeat in 15 matches across all competitions (W6, D9), a run characterized by defensive stability.

During this phase, Sebastian Beccacece’s team has achieved 12 clean sheets, including a 2-0 win over New Zealand last November, with second-half goals from Nilson Angulo and Leonardo Campana.

This victory concluded a stretch of three consecutive draws—all in friendlies—while Ecuador’s prior success came in the last match of the South American World Cup qualifiers against Argentina. Another win on Friday would see the Tricolours secure back-to-back victories for the first time since March of the previous year.

Team News

Morocco head coach Ouahbi has announced a 28-man squad in preparation for the double-header against Ecuador and Paraguay, blending veteran players with younger talent, with first-choice goalkeeper Yassine Bounou anticipated to start on Friday.

The defensive lineup includes captain Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui, who has recently returned from injury that sidelined him during Manchester United’s visit to Bournemouth last weekend.

A fresh inclusion is Fulham centre-back Issa Diop, who has opted to represent the Atlas Lions despite previously playing for France at the youth level.

Ouahbi has also called upon players familiar to him from the U-20 World Cup victory in Chile in 2025, such as Ismael Baouf, alongside Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi, who earned spots after impressive performances during AFCON.

As for Ecuador, a setup similar to the November match against New Zealand could be seen, with experienced goalkeeper Hernan Galindez expected to start behind a back line that may consist of Piero Hincapie, William Pacho, Joel Ordonez, and Alan Franco.

The midfield is anticipated to be led by Moises Caicedo, likely partnering Pedro Vite in a double pivot, while Angulo could retain his position on the left wing with John Yeboah playing on the opposite side.

Morocco probable starting XI:

Bono; Hakimi, Diop, Mazraoui, Salah-Eddine; El Aynaoui; Ezzalzouli, Saibari, El Khannouss, B Diaz; El Kaabi

Ecuador probable starting XI:

Galindez; Franco, Ordonez, Pacho, Hincapie; Yeboah, Caicedo, Vite, Angulo; Valencia, Plata

This match promises to be a low-scoring contest between two teams excelling in defensive strength, with Morocco having maintained four consecutive clean sheets prior to the controversial AFCON final.

Thus, a single goal may determine the outcome, and we tend to favor the African side given their superior win rate during the unbeaten streak and their higher ranking in the current FIFA World Rankings, with Morocco placed eighth and Ecuador positioned 23rd.