2026 World Cup: Yanis Begraoui, the striker Morocco can no longer ignore

Yanis Begraoui is having an extraordinary season in Portugal. Just weeks before the 2026 World Cup, head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has called him up for a preliminary training camp—a move that looks very much like the first step towards his big breakthrough.

Two years ago, Yanis Begraoui left Toulouse quietly, heading to Estoril, a modest club nestled in the suburbs of Lisbon. Now, at 24, the entire Moroccan national team setup is closely following his progress. The 2026 World Cup will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and the Atlas Lions are eager to shine. In this context, the rise of the Étampes-born striker in Portugal can no longer be overlooked.

A season to enter the history books

The numbers speak for themselves. Begraoui has netted 20 goals in all competitions this season in 33 appearances for Estoril, making him by far the club's top scorer. But beyond this individual achievement, it’s the historical significance of his campaign that truly stands out. This season, the Moroccan became Estoril Praia’s all-time top scorer in Liga Portugal, registering 28 goals in just two seasons—a remarkable feat given he’s only in his second year at the club.

Begraoui is shattering records one after another. By matching and then surpassing the 17 league goals scored by Léo Bonatini in the 2015-2016 season, he erased Estoril’s single-season Liga goal record. The all-time record, however, is still held by Portuguese striker José Mota, who scored 27 goals in the 1948-1949 season—a mark Begraoui could well threaten in the future.

Third top scorer in the Portuguese league

In a Liga Portugal dominated by giants like Sporting and Benfica, the Estoril forward has climbed to the top of the scoring charts. He currently sits third among the league’s top scorers, trailing only Vangelis Pavlidis and Luis Javier Suárez, showcasing impressive consistency in a league widely considered more competitive than France’s Ligue 2.

From TFC to the World Cup doorstep

Begraoui’s journey has been anything but straightforward. Developed at Auxerre and then moving to Toulouse between 2021 and 2024, he never truly established himself as a regular starter and was even loaned out to Pau in Ligue 2 for more playing time. It was during his stint at Pau that he really revealed his potential, finishing the season with 11 goals and 3 assists, catching the eye of Espanyol Barcelona and RCD Mallorca. Ultimately, Estoril swooped in for him in July 2024—a move that has paid off handsomely for both sides.

On the international stage, Begraoui had already made his mark by winning the U23 Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco in 2023, even scoring in the final against Egypt. That first taste of international glory put him on the radar of the national team staff, but his club exploits have since taken his profile to a whole new level.

The long-awaited call-up

Now, it’s Mohamed Ouahbi, the new head coach of the Atlas Lions, who is reaching out. Called up for a preliminary training camp starting May 22, which includes a behind-closed-doors friendly against Burundi, Begraoui has a golden opportunity to make his case before the final World Cup squad is announced.

At 24, Begraoui has emerged this season as one of Morocco’s brightest revelations in Europe, with performances in the Primeira Liga that are impossible to ignore. The competition for attacking spots remains fierce in Morocco, with established stars playing at much higher-profile European clubs. But form is an undeniable argument, and in this spring of 2026, no one in the Moroccan squad can boast such consistent scoring prowess.

Yanis Begraoui has been knocking on the door for a long time. This time, it looks like it’s finally opening.

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.