The FIFA World Cup is always a prime time when players who refused to play for their national team in the past reconsider and rejoin for the world’s biggest tournament, and Morocco are considering bringing back several players into the fold as well as several dual nationals. The two most prominent names are FC Ajax right back Noussair Mazraoui and Chelsea playmaker Hakim Ziyech, who declined callups during the group stage of qualifying due to a fractured relationship with current Atlas Lions manager Vahid Halilhodžić.
It will certainly take some time before Mazraoui and Ziyech come back to the fold and their relationship with Halilhodžić may still be beyond repair. Another candidate to join Morocco is Mohamed Ihattaren, currently at Ajax on loan from Juventus but struggling with injuries along with issues of professionalism which have sidetracked his career since the 20-year-old emerged as a phenom with PSV. Sampdoria attacking midfielder Abdelhamid Sabiri and AS Monaco player Sofiane Diop will also be in the discussion to help boost an inconsistent Atlas Lions attack.
Lions de l’Atlas has more on the issues of dual nationals below.
