PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Soufiane Rahimi |
| Date of Birth | 02/06/1996 (Age: 30) |
| Place of Birth | Casablanca, Morocco |
| Nationality | Moroccan |
| Height | 1.80–1.83 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 74–79 kg |
| Position | Forward / Striker |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #21 |
| Current Club | Al Ain |
| Previous Clubs | Raja Casablanca, EJS Casablanca (loan) |
| International Caps | 15+ |
| International Goals | 4+ |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | — |
The Frozen Moment
The Houston Stadium roared. July 5, 2026. Morocco and Canada were locked in a World Cup Round of 16 clash, and the Atlas Lions had just lost their tournament top scorer Ismael Saibari to injury in the 22nd minute.
On came Soufiane Rahimi. The 30-year-old forward, who had already scored a decisive goal against Haiti in the group stage, was being asked to fill the void. He did not disappoint. In the eighth minute of stoppage time, Brahim Diaz played a through ball, and Rahimi, with the composure of a veteran, broke free and slotted it past the Canadian goalkeeper. Morocco won 3-0, becoming the first African team to reach back-to-back World Cup quarter-finals.
Despite playing just 122 minutes across the tournament, Rahimi had recorded 2 goals and 1 assist. The boy from Casablanca, who had started his career at Raja Casablanca and conquered Asia with Al Ain, had become Morocco’s super-sub on the biggest stage of all.
Origins
Soufiane Rahimi was born on June 2, 1996, in Casablanca, Morocco. He joined Raja Casablanca’s youth academy in 2006 at age 10 and progressed through the ranks. His youth career was dedicated to Raja, where he developed into a promising forward.
He made his senior debut for Raja Casablanca, but to gain regular minutes, he was loaned to EJS Casablanca in the Botola 3 during the 2017-18 season. The loan was a revelation—he scored 17 goals in 28 appearances. Upon his return to Raja, he established himself as a key player, helping the club win the 2019-20 Botola Pro, the 2018 and 2021 CAF Confederation Cup, and the 2019-20 Arab Club Champions Cup.
The European and Asian Forge
Raja Casablanca (2017-2021):
Rahimi made 83 league appearances for Raja, scoring 30 goals. His performances in the CAF Confederation Cup and the Botola Pro caught the attention of clubs across Africa and Asia. He also represented Morocco at the 2020 African Nations Championship, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.
Al Ain (2021-Present):
In August 2021, Rahimi signed with UAE Pro League side Al Ain. His time in the UAE has been defined by extraordinary success. He led Al Ain to the 2023-24 AFC Champions League title, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 13 goals. He also won the UAE Pro League in 2021-22 and again in 2025-26, the League Cup in 2021-22, and the Presidents Cup in 2025-26.
In the 2025-26 season, Rahimi made 16 Pro League appearances, scoring 7 goals and providing 5 assists, with an average FotMob rating of 8.01. He also made 4 World Cup appearances, scoring 1 goal in 4 matches.
Career Totals:
- Over 300 career appearances, scoring 121 goals
- 117 goals in 245 matches
- 12 major trophies
- 8 goals in 6 appearances for Morocco U23 at the 2024 Olympics
The Anatomy of His Game
Rahimi is a forward defined by his composure in front of goal, work rate, and ability to impact games from the bench. He has been described as a “super-sub” for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup.
In Possession:
Rahimi is a composed finisher. Despite playing just 122 minutes at the 2026 World Cup, he recorded 2 goals and 1 assist. His ability to find space in the box and finish with both feet makes him a constant threat. In the 2025-26 Pro League season, he recorded 7 goals and 5 assists in 16 appearances, with an average rating of 8.01.
Out of Possession:
Rahimi’s work rate is notable. In the 2025-26 Pro League season, he ranked in the 66th percentile for defensive contributions among forwards. His pressing and willingness to track back are key parts of his game.
Physical Attributes:
Standing at 1.80–1.83 meters and weighing 74–79 kg, Rahimi has the physique of a modern forward. He is right-footed but capable of finishing with both feet.
Psychological Edge:
Rahimi’s mental resilience is his greatest asset. He has been a consistent goalscorer throughout his career, from the Moroccan third division to the AFC Champions League and the World Cup. His ability to step up in critical moments—scoring against Haiti and Canada at the World Cup—demonstrates his composure under pressure.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE Pro League | 16 | 16 | 1,345 | 7 | 5 | 8.01 |
| FIFA World Cup | 4 | 0 | 122 | 1 | 1 | — |
| TOTAL | 20 | 16 | 1,467 | 8 | 6 | — |
TABLE B: Career (Raja Casablanca and Al Ain)
| Period | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-2021 | Raja Casablanca | Botola Pro | 83 | 30 |
| 2021-Present | Al Ain | UAE Pro League | 109+ | 35+ |
| TOTAL | — | — | 245+ | 117+ |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 4 | 1 | Quarter-Final |
| AFCON 2025 | 3 | 2 | Winner |
| Olympic Games 2024 | 6 | 8 | Bronze Medal, Top Scorer |
| African Nations Championship 2020 | 6 | 5 | Winner, Top Scorer |
| Morocco Senior Career | 15+ | 4+ | — |
TABLE D: The Impact Table (Major Honours)
| Competition | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| Africa Cup of Nations | 2025 |
| FIFA Arab Cup | 2025 |
| AFC Champions League Elite | 2023/24 |
| UAE Pro League | 2021/22, 2025/26 |
| Presidents Cup | 2025/26 |
| Botola Pro | 2019/20 |
| CAF Confederation Cup | 2018, 2021 |
| CAF Super Cup | 2018/19 |
| Arab Club Champions Cup | 2019/20 |
| Olympic Bronze Medal | 2024 |
| Total Major Trophies | 12+ |
TABLE E: 2026 World Cup Performance
| Stage | Opponent | Minutes | Goals | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | Haiti | 20 | 1 | Scored in 4-2 win |
| Round of 16 | Canada | 68 | 1 | Scored stoppage-time goal in 3-0 win |
| Quarter-Final | France | 28 | 0 | — |
| TOTAL | — | 122 | 2 | 2 goals, 1 assist in 122 minutes |
What these figures reveal
is a player of extraordinary consistency and trophy-winning pedigree. Rahimi has won 12+ major trophies, scored over 117 goals in 245+ appearances, and represented Morocco in multiple international tournaments. His 2 goals and 1 assist in just 122 minutes at the 2026 World Cup highlight his impact as a super-sub.
The Present Tense
Soufiane Rahimi is 30 years old and at the peak of his career. He is a key player for Al Ain and a vital squad member for Morocco’s 2026 World Cup campaign.
The Al Ain Story:
Rahimi joined Al Ain in 2021 and has become one of the club’s most important players. He led the club to the 2023-24 AFC Champions League title, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 13 goals. He also won the UAE Pro League in 2021-22 and 2025-26, the League Cup in 2021-22, and the Presidents Cup in 2025-26. In the 2025-26 season, he made 16 Pro League appearances, scoring 7 goals and providing 5 assists.
The World Cup Campaign:
Rahimi was named in Mohamed Ouahbi’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He made four appearances, all from the bench, accumulating 122 minutes. He scored against Haiti in the group stage and added a stoppage-time goal against Canada in the Round of 16. He also provided an assist. Morocco reached the quarter-finals, where they were defeated by France 2-0. His performances made him one of the most effective substitutes in the tournament.
International Record:
Rahimi has over 15 caps for Morocco and has scored 4+ goals. He won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 and the FIFA Arab Cup in 2025. He won a bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 8 goals. He was also the top scorer of the 2020 African Nations Championship.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Rahimi is defined by his journey from the Moroccan third division to the AFC Champions League and the World Cup. He started his career on loan at EJS Casablanca in the Botola 3, where he scored 17 goals in 28 appearances. His rise to prominence has been a story of hard work and determination.
He is also a leader for Morocco, having been selected as one of the three overage players for the Morocco Olympic team at the 2024 Olympics. His experience and composure are invaluable to a squad blending youth with experience.
The Verdict from the Camp
Mohamed Ouahbi, Morocco head coach:
Ouahbi has trusted Rahimi as a super-sub for the World Cup, giving him opportunities from the bench in critical moments.
Statistic:
Rahimi has won 12+ major trophies in his career.
Statistic:
Rahimi scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist in just 122 minutes at the 2026 World Cup.
Statistic:
Rahimi was the top scorer of the 2023-24 AFC Champions League with 13 goals.
Where Next?
Soufiane Rahimi is 30 years old and under contract with Al Ain. He has established himself as one of the most consistent forwards in Asian football and a vital squad member for Morocco.
For Morocco, he is a valuable attacking asset. His impact as a super-sub at the 2026 World Cup, his experience in winning the Africa Cup of Nations, and his goalscoring record in the AFC Champions League make him a player to rely on. At 30, he has many years ahead of him and could continue to be a key figure for the Atlas Lions.
From Casablanca to Raja Casablanca, from Al Ain to the World Cup, Soufiane Rahimi’s journey is a story of resilience, consistency, and extraordinary goalscoring ability. The boy who started in the Moroccan third division has become a World Cup super-sub and a serial winner.
