Morocco’s World Cup Squad Includes 18-Year-Old Prodigy Bilal El Khannouss

At only 18 years old, the player will experience the biggest competition of his young career. Bilal El Khannouss had chosen to play for Morocco rather than the Red Devils, in whose lower categories he had played.

This decision was also misunderstood by the Belgian press, who felt that Belgium had lost one of "its" great talents to Morocco. Jackie Mattisen, coach of the Belgium (U21) team, had also spoken about Bilal’s choice of sports nationality, declaring: it is "a shame (for Belgium, editor’s note) because he is a very good and interesting player."

According to several analysts, this call-up of the attacking midfielder is part of the coach’s succession plan. It confirms Walid Regragui’s intentions to have a competitive team in the immediate future, without forgetting to prepare a new generation that will ensure the future of the Atlas Lions.

In Qatar, Bilal El Khannouss will have to fight to secure a place alongside Azzeddine Ounahi (22 years old) and Amrabat (26 years old). The task will be difficult for the young Lion, but far from impossible for the one who is an undisputed starter with Genk, the leader of the Belgian championship.