Morocco did not merely secure qualification against the Netherlands. For the BBC, the Atlas Lions have confirmed their new status in world football, following a match they controlled for long periods before winning on penalties.
Morocco made an impression against Brazil. From the 65th minute onwards, the Atlas Lions evolved with eleven players born outside the kingdom, 100% MRE therefore, a first recorded in World Cup history.
The Lions of the Atlas face Madagascar this Tuesday in Rabat. A crucial friendly match for the Moroccan national football team that is fine-tuning its final preparations before flying to the United States to compete in the 2026 World Cup .
National coach Mohamed Ouahbi has unveiled the list of players selected for the 2026 World Cup. While the usual key players are present, Hakim Ziyech’s much-discussed absence is the standout feature of this call-up.
FIFA officially recorded this Wednesday, March 25, the change in Rayane Bounida’s sporting nationality . The young talent from Ajax Amsterdam is definitively leaving the Belgian selection to wear the colors of the Atlas Lions.
The attacking midfielder of Ajax Amsterdam , Rayane Bounida, has decided to represent Morocco instead of Belgium. Summoned by the Diablotins for the March gathering, the 20-year-old player has officially declined the invitation.
Belgium loses one of its greatest hopes. The talent of Ajax Amsterdam, Rayane Bounida, has officially informed the Belgian federation of his decision to represent the Moroccan national team rather than the Red Devils.
Zakaria El Ouahdi, player for KRC Genk, has chosen to respond favorably to his call-up with the Moroccan team. A new departure that adds to that of Talbi, without an official reaction from the RBFA, but in an already tense climate.
Morocco has not finished "stealing" dual-national talents from Belgium. After Bilal El Khannouss, Anass Zaroury, and recently Chemsdine Talbi, the Moroccan federation is not planning to stop there. It is working to convince young prodigies playing in Europe to join the den of the Atlas Lions.
Chemsdine Talbi, midfielder for Club Bruges and a new arrival in the Moroccan national team, sees his participation in the match against Tanzania, this Tuesday, called into question. This match is part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Despite his hamstring injury, Chemsdine Talbi should join the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maâmora for the preparation camp for the matches against Niger and Tanzania, scheduled for March 21 and 25 as part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The name of Chemsdine Talbi could have appeared on the list of 26 players called up by the Red Devils coach for the double confrontation against Ukraine in the Nations League. The Belgian-Moroccan striker of FC Bruges has chosen Morocco as his sporting nationality to the detriment of Belgium. Rudi Garcia reacts to this choice.