| Taha Benrhozil | |
| Fullname: | Taha Benrhozil[1] |
| Birth Date: | 18 June 2006 |
| Birth Place: | Mohammedia, Morocco |
| Height: | 1.79 m |
| Position: | Goalkeeper |
| Currentclub: | Mohammed VI Football Academy |
| Youthyears1: | 2012–2015 |
| Youthclubs1: | La Lauria |
| Youthyears2: | 2015– |
| Youthclubs2: | Mohammed VI Football Academy |
| Nationalyears1: | 2022– |
| Nationalteam1: | Morocco U17 |
| Nationalcaps1: | 17 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 22 November 2023 |
| Nationalteam-Update: | 22 November 2023 |
Taha Benrhozil (ar|طه بنغوزيل; born 18 June 2006) is a Moroccan footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for the Mohammed VI Football Academy.
Benrhozil was born in Mohammedia to a father who also played as a goalkeeper, and is the grandson of Abdelsalam Benrhozil, who played for Union de Mohammédia.[2]
Called up to the Morocco under-17 side for the 2022 Arab Cup U-17, Benrhozil started in every game as Morocco reached the final. For his performances in the tournament, Benrhozil was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament.[3]
In the final, after Morocco lost 4–2 on penalties to Algeria following a 1–1 draw in normal time, Benrhozil was involved in a collision with an Algerian player as he went to leave his penalty area, with the Algerian team choosing to celebrate in the Moroccan end of the pitch. This altercation sparked a brawl, with Algerian players attacking Benrhozil and his teammates with kicks and punches.[4] For their role in the incident, Algeria were subject to punishment from the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA), who ordered them to pay a fine of for fans entering the field, while both sides were fined for failing to control players.[5] Algerian player Abdelhak Benidir, who initially attacked Behrhozil, was given a six-month suspension by the UAFA.[6]
He was called up to the squad again in April for the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, and he drew praise for his performance in Morocco's 3–0 quarter-final win against Algeria, keeping prolific Algerian forward Moslem Anatouf quiet during the game.[7] Following Morocco's 6–5 penalty shoot-out win against Mali, he earned comparisons to Morocco national team goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, for their shared ability to save penalty kicks.[8]
His performances continued to impress for Morocco's under-17 side, and at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup, he was named Man of the Match in Morocco's 4–1 penalty shoot-out win against Iran, following a 1–1 draw in normal time - saving from Iranian Kasra Taheri twice in the penalty shoot-out, after the initial penalty was retaken due to encroachment from Benrhozil.[9]
Benrhozil supports Moroccan Botola side Wydad Casablanca.[10]
Morocco U17