Morocco Bolsters National Team with Dual-Nationality Talents Ahead of Major Tournaments

Jones El-Abdellaoui, a striker for the Spanish club Celta Vigo, has decided to represent Morocco, to the detriment of the Norwegian under-18 team with which he has already played six international matches. The young right winger is expected to make his debut with the Atlas Lions at the next Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Versatile, he can also make a difference as a center forward. El-Abdellaoui made his mark at the Norwegian club Vålerenga before joining Celta Vigo.

The Moroccan national team has also been enriched with the arrival of another dual national; Youssef Hamdaoui, from the Belgian club Antwerp. The 17-year-old prodigy has decided to turn his back on Belgium and join the Moroccan national team, after playing five matches with the Belgian under-17 selection. Pending his call-up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Hamdaoui is working to improve his level of play in his Belgian club with which he is under contract until 2027.