Pre-World Cup 2026 friendly: Morocco-Madagascar, likely lineups
This evening at 7 p.m., Rabat Stadium prepares to host a fascinating all-African challenge between Morocco and Madagascar, two national teams that face each other with profoundly different ambitions and paths. The Moroccans will take the field in front of their fans to officially inaugurate their preparation path ahead of the 2026 World Cup; fresh off an excellent streak of form and a resounding 5-0 victory over Burundi, Mohamed’s men will try to take advantage of this test to rotate forces and refine their offensive mechanisms. In contrast, Romuald Rakotondrabe’s Madagascar comes in aware of the very heavy technical gap, and without the duty to score. The “Barea” will bet everything on their typical resilience and agonistic aggressiveness, in an attempt to make density in their own three-quarter, take away space from the home team and measure themselves head-on against an absolute big name in world soccer.
Mohamed picks a very solid and proactive team. Bounou in goal protected by a four-man line led in the center by Aguerd and Saiss, with Hakimi and Allah as outfielders. In the control booth Amrabat will dictate the timing of the maneuver, supported by the energy of Ounahi and Saibari on his flanks. The offensive trident will be top-notch, with Ziyech and Brahim Díaz on the outsides ready to center and serve the central terminal En-Nesyri.
Rakotondrabe responds with a more cautious and thicker midfield form. Laiton will defend the posts, protected by the central pair Fontaine-Demeleon and full-backs Rabemanantsoa and Fortun. The dense midfield will feature N’Zi, Amada, Raveloson, Ilaimaharitra and Lapoussin, all of whom will be called upon to do a great job of handling the ball and restarting quickly to support Caddy’s lone forward.
Probable lineups
Morocco (4-3-3): Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Allah; Ounahi, Amrabat, Saibari; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Díaz. All. Mohamed.
Madagascar (4-5-1): Laiton; Rabemanantsoa, Fontaine, Demeleon, Fortun; N’Zi, Amada, Raveloson, Ilaimaharitra, Lapoussin; Caddy. All. Romuald Rakotondrabe.
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