FIFA Allows Seven Moroccan Players for 2026 World Cup
Morocco has secured FIFA approval to add seven players to its squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The list includes Fulham defender Issa Diop and Ajax midfielder Rayane Bounida.
New additions and eligibility changes
Diop is 29 and played for France at youth and under-21 level. Bounida is among six players aged 20 or under who changed eligibility this month.
All the switches rely on direct family ties to Morocco. FIFA rules allow changes when players have not played senior competitive matches for their first country.
Players cleared this month
- Issa Diop — Fulham defender, former France youth international.
- Rayane Bounida — Ajax midfielder, youth appearances for Belgium or the Netherlands.
- Saif Eddien Lazar — Genk midfielder, previously with Belgium youth setups.
- Benjamin Khaderi — 18, PSV Eindhoven.
- Sami Bouhoudane — 18, PSV Eindhoven.
- Oualid Agougil — 20, defender at Utrecht.
- Ayoud Ouarghi — 18, Feyenoord.
Numbers and recent approvals
Seven players were recruited this month. Six of them are 20 or younger.
FIFA approved 16 players for Morocco since last March. Nine additional approvals came between March and December last year.
Coach selections and upcoming friendlies
New coach Mohamed Ouahbi named a squad that includes Diop and Bounida. They travel for warmup games against Ecuador and Paraguay.
The Ecuador match takes place in Madrid on Friday. The Paraguay friendly is scheduled in Lens on Tuesday.
Tournament draw and hosting context
At the 2026 World Cup, Morocco will face Brazil, Scotland and Haiti. Their matches are assigned near New York, Boston and Atlanta respectively.
Morocco also secured direct entry to the 2030 tournament. The team is a co-host alongside Spain and Portugal, with single games in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Recruitment strategy and legacy
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation, led by Fouzi Lekjaa, has targeted the European diaspora. Lekjaa has become an influential figure in international soccer politics.
The federation’s approach follows the success of Morocco’s 2022 World Cup squad. That team reached the semifinals and featured players such as Hakim Ziyech and Sofyan Amrabat.
Filmogaz.com reports FIFA Allows Seven Moroccan Players for 2026 World Cup, highlighting the blend of experience and youth. The federation hopes the additions strengthen Morocco’s chances in North America.
