India, June 14 -- In their Group C opener at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, Morocco drew 1-1 with five-time champions Brazil, making history as the first team in FIFA World Cup history to field a starting XI composed entirely of players born outside the nation. The historic lineup demonstrated Moroccan football talent's global reach.

Morocco fields an overseas-born starting XI against Brazil

Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was born in Montreal, Canada, while defenders Achraf Hakimi and Chadi Riad were born in Madrid and Palma in Spain, respectively. Centre-back Issa Diop was born in Toulouse, France, and full-back Noussair Mazraoui in Leiderdorp, Netherlands.

Morocco's midfield also reflected the depth of its diaspora. Ayyoub Bouaddi, born in ...