Sports · Football · 5 hrs ago
AZ's Ayoub Oufkir opts to represent Morocco
Ayoub Oufkir has accepted a call-up to Morocco's national team, AZ coach Leeroy Echteld confirmed.
The 20-year-old plays for AZ and previously represented the Netherlands at youth level, including Jong Oranje and the Under-19 team that won the European Championship in 2025.
He is switching his football nationality, though FIFA has not officially confirmed the change.
Oufkir is set to join Morocco for two Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Niger.
That means he will miss Jong Oranje's European Championship play-off against Denmark later this month.
His choice is a setback for Jong Oranje coach Michael Reiziger, who recently used Oufkir in three matches.
The change moves Oufkir from the Netherlands' youth setup to Morocco's senior team.
AZ player Ayoub Oufkir has accepted a call-up to represent Morocco, AZ coach Leeroy Echteld confirmed.
The 20-year-old has played for Netherlands youth teams, including Jong Oranje.
Oufkir played 90 minutes for Jong Oranje in a European Championship qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina in early October.
FIFA has not yet officially confirmed his change of national football eligibility.
He is set to miss Jong Oranje’s European Championship play-off against Denmark and can join Morocco for two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Niger.
- Who
- Ayoub Oufkir, a 20-year-old AZ player.
- What
- He has accepted a call-up to represent Morocco and is changing his national football eligibility. FIFA has not officially confirmed the change.
- When
- He received the invitation on November 4, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Oufkir played 90 minutes for Jong Oranje in a European Championship qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
AZ coach Leeroy Echteld confirmed that Oufkir had accepted Morocco’s invitation.
Jong Oranje is due to face Denmark in a European Championship play-off, which Oufkir will miss.
Morocco is due to play two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Niger.
- Age
- 20
- Club
- AZ
- Morocco coach
- Mohamed Ouahbi
- Recent Jong Oranje match
- 90 minutes against Bosnia and Herzegovina in early October
- Upcoming Morocco fixtures
- Two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Niger
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لائحة منتخبنا الوطني لخوض مباراتي النيجر ضمن الجولتين الثالثة والرابعة من تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا 2027 🔛 Our National Team squad for the two AFCON 2027 qualifying matches against Niger 🇳🇪 #DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦