Morocco's Football Chief Challenges Lamine Yamal After His Decision for Spain. The Moroccan federation has once again commented on Lamine Yamal's switch to the Spanish national team. The country's leadership expresses disappointment but highlights the growth of national football. A possible meeting at a major tournament lies ahead.
The President of the Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, publicly responded to Lamine Yamal's decision to play for the Spanish national team instead of Morocco. According to Lekjaa, the federation made efforts to persuade the Barcelona player to choose his father's country, but ultimately respected his choice. The head of Moroccan football also expressed hope that one day Morocco and Spain will face each other in the final of a major tournament to, as he put it, "show whether this choice was the right one."
Lekjaa also highlighted changes in Moroccan football. He noted that the national program allows players with Moroccan roots born in Europe to regularly participate in African tournaments and gain opportunities to play at World Cups. In his opinion, this makes Morocco's project attractive for young talents, despite competition from European teams.
The issue of choosing a national team remains relevant not only for Morocco but also for other countries when it comes to players with dual citizenship. In recent years, the Moroccan federation has been actively working with young players living abroad to strengthen the national team’s position on the international stage. As shown by the match between Brazil and Morocco at the start of Group C of the 2026 World Cup, interest in the Moroccan team remains consistently high — the match was sold out at MetLife Stadium.
For reference: Lamine Yamal is one of the most promising young players in Europe. He was born in Spain but has Moroccan roots on his father's side. His decision to play for Spain sparked a wide response in football circles in both countries. In recent years, Morocco has shown significant progress: the national team reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup and continues to strengthen its position on the continent. The question of choosing a national team for players with dual citizenship is becoming increasingly important amid the globalization of football and growing competition for talent.
