Morocco’s Head Coach Defends Dual-National Players’ Loyalty Ahead of World Cup Clash Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has publicly defended the commitment of the Atlas Lions’ players who hold dual nationalities, emphasizing that their loyalty to the national team is unwavering. The remarks came ahead of the FIFA World Cup knockout match against the Netherlands, where several Moroccan players may face opponents from their countries of birth. Ouahbi addressed concerns about the players’ dedication during a pre-match press conference, asserting that their allegiance to Morocco is absolute. The coach acknowledged that some of his players were born or raised outside Morocco and were eligible to represent other national teams. However, he stressed that their decision to play for Morocco is a personal and legal choice. “There are players who hold other nationalities, but they chose to represent Morocco,” Ouahbi said. “When it comes to the game, loyalty is only to the national shirt, regardless of any other considerations.” He added that the players’ connection to Morocco is not diminished by their birthplace, and their commitment should be judged by their performance on the field rather than their place of origin. Ouahbi also highlighted the emotional challenges that dual-national players might face during the match. “For dual-national players, it can sometimes be emotionally complicated,” he noted. “But the most important thing for me is that they are in the best mental condition and enter the game with full focus.” He emphasized that his primary concern is ensuring the players are mentally prepared to compete at their best, regardless of their personal backgrounds.#mohamed_ouahbi #morocco_head_coach #morocco_netherlands_match #dual_national_players #morocco_diaspora
