Who is Azzedine Ounahi? Morocco's Star Player from 2022 World Cup returns with a Brace against Canada

Azzedine Ounahi has announced himself in the World Cup 2026 in an exceptional fashion, as he has scored a brace against Canada in a Round of 16 clash on Saturday (July 4).

Ounahi, who was a key player for Morocco in 2022 World Cup, has netted two massive goals as Morocco have progressed to the quarterinals of this World Cup.

The 26-year-old scored the crucial goals in the 2nd half of the match, in the 50th and 82nd minute to clingh the massive win for the Atlas Lions. They will now take on the winner of Paraguay vs France match on Friday (July 10).

Who is Azzedine Ounahi?

Azzedine Ounahi, born on 19 April 2000 in Casablanca, Morocco, is a dynamic central midfielder who has become one of African football's brightest talents.

At 26 years old and standing 1.82 m tall, he currently plays for Spanish club Girona FC and is a key figure for the Morocco national team.

Ounahi developed his skills at Raja Casablanca and the renowned Mohammed VI Football Academy. In 2018 he moved to Europe with Strasbourg's reserve side. His breakthrough arrived at third-tier French club US Avranches in 2020-21, where he scored five goals in 27 league appearances. This form earned him a move to Ligue 1 side Angers SCO in July 2021. In his debut season he made 32 league appearances and scored twice, establishing himself as a composed, energetic midfielder.

Ounahi made his senior international debut for Morocco in January 2022 against Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations. Just two months later he scored his first goals for the Atlas Lions with a brace in a 4-1 World Cup qualifier win over DR Congo. His finest hour came at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Selected in the squad, the then-22-year-old became a breakout star as Morocco achieved a historic run to the semi-finals, finishing fourth.

He started in the round-of-16 penalty-shootout victory over Spain, delivering a tireless, technically assured display that prompted Spanish coach Luis Enrique to exclaim: "My God, where does this guy come from?"

In the quarter-final 1-0 win against Portugal, Ounahi led his team in dribbles and duels won. His stamina, vision, dribbling and high work rate were central to Morocco's compact, counter-attacking style and defensive resilience throughout the tournament.After the World Cup, Ounahi joined Olympique de Marseille in January 2023. He later spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Panathinaikos before signing for Girona in August 2025. With 53 caps and nine international goals, he remains an important player for Morocco, including in the World Cup 2026.