Moroccan Olympic Medalist Weighs National Team Options Between Morocco and Belgium

In late November, Zakaria El Ouahdi considered changing his sports nationality. "Of course, hearing that I could feature in the Belgian selection, that’s something very beautiful too. [...] It would become a dilemma (if he was called up, editor’s note)." On the web, Moroccan supporters did not appreciate the player’s statement. They accused the bronze medalist of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with the Moroccan Olympic team of betrayal. Faced with the controversy, he returns to his words in another unpublished excerpt. "Do I still dream of a selection with Morocco. Yes of course, of course," he affirmed.

In a joint interview with his father and agent Mohamed Achahbar for the media Het Laatste Nieuws, the native of Antwerp is questioned about the possibility of a call-up with Belgium in March 2025. "That’s not the question at the moment," his father brushes aside. "Of course, Belgium is a beautiful country, but my heart is Moroccan," the player responds. "And the blood too," his father adds.

Will El Ouahdi ultimately change his sports nationality? The player will have to decide in 2025.