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After a remarkable <\/span>semi-final run in the Kings League World Cup Nations<\/span> last January, Morocco is poised for another appearance on the global stage of this innovative football competition. This time, it\u2019s the second edition of the <\/span>Kings World Cup Clubs (KWCC)<\/span><\/a>, set to be held in France from June 1st to June 14th, where Morocco will be represented by \u201cUltra Chmicha,\u201d a team led by popular streamer Ilyass El Maliki.<\/span><\/p>\n El Maliki recently unveiled the 18-player squad for <\/span>\u201cUltra Chmicha<\/span><\/a>,\u201d set to compete in the 2025 KWCC. Under the guidance of coach Majid El Khal, a former Moroccan goalkeeper, the squad presents a fascinating blend of talent drawn from diverse footballing backgrounds.<\/span><\/p>\n Former Moroccan internationals Mbark Boussoufa, Issam Erraki, Nabil Dirar, and Zakaria Hadraf bring a wealth of experience to the team. They are joined by talented pmayers from the national futsal team, including Achraf Saud, Soufian Charraoui, Iraiss El-Fenni, and Hamza Sellami. Content creators such as Sa\u00efd Elaouny (aka Lawla Dorouf), Ilyas Touba, and Mehdi Amri\u2014renowned for their impressive ball skills and freestyle videos\u2014also feature in the lineup. Players from Morocco\u2019s domestic Botola league, including Hatim Finani, Yassir Jarici, Zakaria Al Ayoud, and Marouane Mzirira, while Yassin Far\u00e8s and Fuad El Amrani bring prior King\u2019s League experience. Beach soccer player Reda Zahraoui rounds out the squad.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Morocco\u2019s First Participation: From Surprise Entry to Celebrated Semi-Finalists<\/b><\/p>\n Morocco\u2019s journey into the King\u2019s League began with a direct invitation from league founder Gerard Piqu\u00e9 to streamer Ilyass El Maliki. Piqu\u00e9 later visited him in El Jadida, where they attended a Botola match between DHJ and MAS. <\/span>Piqu\u00e9 also appeared at El Maliki\u2019s family house<\/span><\/a> for a livestream, recognizing the Moroccan influencer\u2019s massive online following and the strong support of the Moroccan fanbase.<\/span><\/p>\n Piqu\u00e9\u2019s intuition proved correct: Morocco\u2019s participation ignited a surge in viewership and social media engagement for the league, predominantly driven by enthusiastic Moroccan supporters.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite the lack of preparation\u2014players were brought together at the last minute and many were unfamiliar with the league\u2019s special rules \u2013 the Moroccan squad surpassed all expectations. They secured memorable victories against teams representing the United States, Japan, and Ukraine, embarking on an unexpected journey to the semi-finals, where their impressive run eventually <\/span>concluded against Colombia<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Nadir Louah, recognized as a Kings League Player of the Year before the tournament, played a central role for the Moroccan team on the pitch. His familiarity with the league\u2019s specific rules was an asset to a squad that had minimal preparation time. With contributions from experienced players like Issam Erraki and Mbark Boussoufa, the team progressed further than many anticipated,<\/span><\/p>\n What is the King\u2019s League?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n The King\u2019s League is a revolutionary 7-a-side football competition, masterminded by former FC Barcelona legend Gerard Piqu\u00e9, in collaboration with high-profile streamers and football personalities. It\u2019s known for its dynamic fusion of traditional football with interactive, entertainment-driven elements. Unique rules, such as penalty shootouts deciding drawn matches and \u201cgolden cards\u201d allowing surprise tactical changes (like player substitutions or bonus goals), alongside a fast-paced format, have contributed to its rapid global appeal since its launch in Spain.<\/span><\/p>\n