AYOUB el Kaabi, the 25-year-old forward, would be the one to keep an eye on when Morocco face Iran today in the first game of Group ‘B’. Kaabi made his international debut for Morocco on in January this year during the African Nations Championship.

He scored his first international hat-trick against Guinea, four days after his debut on Jan 13.

Kaabi might not have the sleek precision of Hakim Ziyech or the French-born Younes Belhanda but he wants to write his own story.

Kaabi plays for Renaissance Sportive de Berkane in Morocco and announced his presence as an able prospect for the country when he scored 22 goals in the 2016/17 season.

He is known to have a unique raw playing style and an easy slingy power which has made him a cult hero back at home.

With Morocco being the underdogs in their World Cup group, it will be interesting to see if Kaabi can spring a surprise and guide them through the group stages.

Opinion

Editorial

Pathways to peace
27 Apr, 2026

Pathways to peace

NEGOTIATIONS to hammer out the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement took nearly two years before a breakthrough was achieved....
Food-insecure nation
27 Apr, 2026

Food-insecure nation

A NEW UN-backed report has listed Pakistan among 10 countries where acute food insecurity is most concentrated. This...
Migration toll
27 Apr, 2026

Migration toll

THE world should not be deceived by a global migration count lower than the highest annual statistics on record —...
Immunity gap
Updated 26 Apr, 2026

Immunity gap

Pakistan’s Big Catch-Up campaign showed progress but also exposed the scale of gaps in routine immunisation.
Danger on repeat
26 Apr, 2026

Danger on repeat

DISASTERS have typically been framed as acts of nature. Of late, they look increasingly like tests of preparedness...
Loose lips
26 Apr, 2026

Loose lips

PAKISTANIS have by now gained something of an international reputation for their gallows humour, but it seems that...