Dual nationals: the secrets of the Moroccan machine that does not let any talent slip away

It is a precision mechanism that is now the envy of many African federations. Under the presidency of Fouzi Lekjaâ, the FRMF has industrialized the detection of dual nationals, no longer allowing any nugget to slip through the net. The cases of Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz or Hakim Ziyech are only the tip of the iceberg: behind these headliners, it is an entire surveillance system that operates in silence across Europe, according to the newspaper Le Matin.

Mohamed Ouahbi, coach of the U20s (recently crowned world champions), has lifted the veil on this quasi-military organization. The Federation works on exhaustive lists fed by dozens of scouts. The anecdote concerning Kaïs Barry is revealing of this efficiency: while the player, son of the Ivorian Copa Boubacar, was not referenced as Moroccan on any specialized website, he was already in the FRMF database thanks to his mother’s nationality. "If they had him, it’s because they were very strong," summarizes the technician.

However, the approach is devoid of aggression. No check, no unattainable promises, but a discourse of truth carried by Walid Regragui and his teams. "We present our project to them and convey the love of the homeland," explained the coach. This soft method, coupled with world-class infrastructure such as the Mohammed VI complex, has changed the game.

With the 2025 CAN at home and the prospect of the 2030 World Cup, Morocco now has irresistible sporting arguments. The Atlas Lions are no longer a fallback option, but a preferred destination for young talents like Chemsdine Talbi or Anass Salah-Eddine, who no longer hesitate to turn their backs on European selections to join the Moroccan project.