Historic: Morocco Played with 11 'Legionnaires' Against Brazil

The Moroccan national team has set an unprecedented World Cup record, one that is unlikely to be replicated.

Between the 65th and 89th minutes of their recent 1-1 draw with Brazil, not a single one of Morocco's 11 players on the field was born in Morocco. This marks the first time in World Cup history that an entire national team on the pitch consisted solely of players born outside the country they represent. Four of the "Atlas Lions" players were born in France: Issa Diop in Toulouse, Neil El Aynaoui in Nancy, Ayoub Bouaddi in Senlis, and substitute Samir El Mourabet in Strasbourg. Spain contributed three nationals: Chadi Riad from Palma de Mallorca, Achraf Hakimi from Madrid, and Ismael Saibari from Terrassa. Another two were born in Belgium: substitute Chemsdine Talbi in Sambreville and Bilal El Khannouss in Molenbeek. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was born in Montreal, Canada, while his teammate Noussair Mazraoui hails from Leiderdorp, Netherlands.

Morocco's only starter born in the country was Azzedine Ounahi, from Casablanca, but he was substituted in the 65th minute. From that moment until his fellow Casablanca native, Sofiane Rahimi, entered the game in the 89th minute, all players on the field for Morocco were foreign-born. The same applies to the substituted starter Brahim Díaz from Malaga, Spain, and the introduced substitutes Anas Salah-Eddine from Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Ayoub Amaymouni from Vic, Spain.