Morocco Secures Amir Richardson for National Team, Dashing USMNT Hopes

There is no longer any doubt that Amir Richardson has definitively joined the Moroccan national team. A blow for the U.S. soccer team, USMNT. On Tuesday, he came on in the 85th minute during Morocco’s 2-0 win over Tanzania, as part of the qualifications for the 2026 World Cup, reports Pro Soccer Wire. This third selection of the 21-year-old player for Morocco, but the first in an official competition, is synonymous with Amir’s definitive choice. Morocco thus shatters the dream of the USMNT to see him play for the United States.

Amir Richardson was born on January 24, 2002 in Antibes, France. He is the son of former professional basketball player Micheal Ray Richardson, originally from Texas in the United States and four-time NBA All-Star, and Ilham Mechchate, a Franco-Moroccan from Fez, known for practicing basketball and athletics. The Reims midfielder holds triple French, American and Moroccan nationality. He has never played for the United States, at any level. On the other hand, he has played with the French under-20 team in 2021 and 2022, with whom he won the Maurice Revello Tournament.

This year, he has made official the choice of his sporting nationality. He has definitively opted for the Moroccan national team. In July, Amir won the U23 AFCON with the Atlas Cubs. They won the first title in their history in this competition by beating Egypt in the final at the Moulay Abdallah stadium in Rabat.