"Morocco has actively recruited players from its diaspora in Europe, with the federation under Fouzi Lekjaa focusing on those with family ties to the country. This strategy has led to the inclusion of players like Issa Diop and Rayane Bounida, who have not played senior competitive games for their original countries."
"The squad that made history in Qatar as Africa's first semifinalist included players such as Hakim Ziyech and Sofyan Amrabat, who had previously represented the Netherlands at youth levels. This trend of switching national eligibility is becoming more common as Morocco seeks to strengthen its team."
Morocco has received FIFA approval to select seven players, including Fulham's Issa Diop and Ajax's Rayane Bounida, for the upcoming World Cup. Diop, a former France youth international, and Bounida, who previously played for Belgium, are among six players under 20 changing eligibility. All players have family ties to Morocco, allowing them to switch nationalities. Morocco's squad will compete in World Cup warmup games and is set to co-host the 2030 tournament with Spain and Portugal, continuing its recruitment of players from the European diaspora.
Read at ESPN.com
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