Zakaria Taifi

Zakaria Taifi (born October 1, 2005) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a right-back or center-back for Major League Soccer club Orlando City.

Taifi was the first player to sign a permanent contract with the first team of Orlando City after joining the team's academy at the youngest possible age group when he became the team's 19th homegrown player in 2025.

Youth career Taifi joined the Orlando City academy in 2015 at the U9 level. In 2021, Taifi was a major contributor to the academy winning the 2021 U17 MLS Next Cup against the Player Development Academy. On November 14, 2023, Taifi committed to attending the University of Portland and joining the Portland Pilots following graduation in 2024, but ultimately did not play college soccer.

Club career

Orlando City B Taifi made the bench four times in 2022 for Orlando City B in MLS Next Pro, first being made available from the academy on August 20 against Columbus Crew 2.

On March 16, 2023, Taifi made his professional debut when he came on as a 78th-minute substitute for Yutaro Tsukada in a 3–2 win over Atlanta United 2. In the following match six days later against Huntsville City, Taifi made his first start, helping the game to end 1–1. In the following penalty-kick shoot-out, Taifi missed his penalty, but the team would win the shoot-out 4–3 regardless.

On March 12, 2024, Taifi was promoted from the academy and signed a two-year contract with the developmental team.

Orlando City

On January 27, 2024, Taifi made his unofficial debut when he appeared as a 79th-minute substitute in a 1–1 draw with Brazilian club Flamengo during the 2024 FC Series. Ahead of a match at CF Montréal on April 19, Taifi signed another short-term agreement, and he would make his debut for the team as an 85th-minute substitute for Martín Ojeda in a scoreless draw. On May 17, Taifi signed a homegrown contract through 2026 with club options for 2027, 2028, and 2029, making him the 19th homegrown player for the club. Taifi's signing also made him the first player to advance fully through Orlando's development pathway as he joined at the youngest possible age at the U9 youth level. In November, Taifi trained with Portuguese club Moreirense, which is 70% owned by Black Knight Football Club UK Limited, the ownership group which Orlando City has an affiliation with, at the behest of Moreirense manager Vasco Botelho da Costa.

On February 21, 2026, Taifi came on as an 86th-minute substitute for Griffin Dorsey as Orlando City trailed the New York Red Bulls two goals to zero and provided his first goal contribution for Orlando City via an assist to Tiago, but Orlando City still lost 2–1. Taifi scored his first goal for Orlando City on April 29 in the U.S. Open Cup against the New England Revolution via a cross from Tyrese Spicer to secure a 4–3 win in added time.

International career Taifi was called up to the Morocco national under-23 for training camp in Salé, Morocco in June 2026.

Personal life Taifi is eligible to represent Morocco. Taifi began playing soccer and practicing jiu-jitsu when he was 4-years-old, but made the full-time switch to soccer six years later after he earned his green belt, the highest belt he could earn before the age of 16. Taifi began attending Florida Virtual School in 8th grade. After his time at Florida Virtual School, Taifi attended SAI Academy in St. Cloud, Florida, where he graduated in 2024.

Career statistics