The new coach of Morocco, Mohamed Ouahbi, has explained the first call-up of Issa Diop for the upcoming friendly matches. Seduced by the defender’s frankness, the coach intends to fully integrate him into his new game project.
Fulham’s central defender Issa Diop is preparing to join the Moroccan national team for the 2026 World Cup. This unexpected choice by the Franco-Senegalese-Moroccan player marks a complete turnaround from his past commitments to the French national team.
Issa Diop has officially opted for the Moroccan selection. The Fulham defender, born in Toulouse and a former French youth international, now aims to compete in the 2026 World Cup under the colors of the Kingdom of Morocco.
As the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which Morocco will host, approaches, national team coach Walid Regragui held a press conference at the Mohammed VI complex in Salé to take stock of the preparation of the Atlas Lions. The composition of the team is taking shape, and the message addressed to dual national players is clear.
The coach of Morocco, Walid Regragui, clarified the situation regarding Issa Diop when announcing his list for the upcoming matches against Tanzania and Niger. The Fulham defender will not be part of the national team’s plans.
As part of the preparations for the friendly matches and even the international competitions that Moroccan players will have to play, Vahid Halilodzic is thinking about how to build a homogeneous group capable of winning. To achieve this, the national coach is in full seduction mode to convince certain dual nationals whose profile matches his criteria, so that they join the Atlas Lions.
The Moroccan-Senegalese player Issa Diop has not yet responded to the request of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) to wear the jersey of the Atlas Lions. The player, who plays as a defender at West Ham, prefers the French team, while Didier Deschamps does not seem to involve him in his future plans.
Born in France to a Moroccan mother and a Senegalese father, Issa Diop only intends to play for France.