Nice Midfielder Sofiane Diop Chooses Morocco for International Career

Sofiane Diop, 23, was courted by the Teranga Lions and the Atlas Lions to start his international career. But in the end, the French youth international playing at Nice has chosen to wear the Moroccan colors. His name appears on the list published this Thursday by Walid Regragui for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

"I called him and we talked," Senegalese coach Aliou Cissé said a year ago, stating that the "ball was in" Diop’s court. "I want to give him time to think carefully, whether he wants to come to the national team or not [...] The players who come to the national team must come with motivation. It’s not about begging a player. We won’t chase after anyone," the coach had insisted.

Sofiane Diop has therefore joined the Atlas Lions, semi-finalists of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and one of the favorites of the next Africa Cup of Nations to be held from January 13 to February 11, 2024 in Côte d’Ivoire. His younger brother, Edan, 19, playing at Monaco, will also have to choose his sporting nationality, between France, Senegal and Morocco.