Soccer-Ziyech in Morocco squad despite lack of game time at Chelsea

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - Chelsea Training - Cobham Training Centre, Cobham, Britain - October 4, 2022 Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech during training Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo

(Reuters) - Morocco included Hakim Ziyech in their World Cup squad as coach Walid Regragui gambled on the fitness of several players and sprung some surprises when he named his 26-man selection on Thursday.

Ziyech has started only twice for Chelsea this season but is one of nine players who return for a second successive World Cup after being included in the squad in Russia four years ago, where Morocco were eliminated in the group stage.