Morocco’s rise on the international stage has made them one of world football’s most inspiring success stories. From becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022, to establishing themselves among the continent’s elite, the ‘Atlas Lions’ have built a squad capable of competing with the very best.

But beneath that success lies a fascinating story of identity, migration and football development. Whilst Morocco represents a nation of over 38 million people, just seven members of their current 26-man squad were actually born in the country, meaning that head coach Mohamed Ouahbi could potentially field a Moroccan XI consisting entirely of players who were born outside the nation.

So where were the players in the Moroccan squad born?

Canada – 1

Morocco’s 35-year-old shot stopper, Yassine Bounou, was born some 6000km away from the nation which he represents. ‘Bono’, who featured against his birth nation in Morocco’s 3-0 victory in the round of 16, was offered a spot in the Canadian national team by former coach Benito Floro, but the goalkeeper swore his allegiance to the homeland of his parents.

His father, Mehmed, taught physics at a university in Montreal, with his mother, Maica, working as a hairdresser. After almost ten years, the pair, along with a three-year-old Bounou, decided to move back to Casablanca.

Belgium – 3

Alongside head coach Ouahbi, who has Moroccan roots but was born in Brussels, three of Morocco’s squad members were born in Belgium. Fullback Zakaria El Ouahdi, who plays in the Belgian Pro league with Genk, was born in Hoboken in the Antwerp Province, whilst former Leicester midfielder, Bilal El Khannouss, was also born in northern Belgium.

Chemsdine Talbi, who came through the ranks at Club Brugge and was reportedly wanted by West Ham before making the switch to Sunderland last summer, was also born in Belgium, in the city of Sambreville.

Netherlands – 3

Much like their European neighbors, the Netherlands serves as the birthplace for over 10% of the Moroccan national team. Sofyan Amrabat, whose eye-catching performances at the 2022 World Cup secured him a loan move to Manchester United, featured for both Utrecht and Feyenoord in the early stages of his career, having been born in the Dutch town of Huizen.

Former Manchester United teammate Noussair Mazraoui was also born in the Netherlands and kickstarted his career with Ajax before moving to German giants Bayern Munich. Similarly, left back Anass Salah-Eddine also honed his craft in the Dutch capital, having been born in Amsterdam.

France – 6

Burt Granofsky/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA

Almost a quarter of Morocco’s entire 26-man squad could have featured for ‘Les Blues’ by right of birthplace. Centre-back duo Issa Diop and Redouane Halhal were both born in France, whilst Ayyoub Bouaddi and Samir El Mourabet both still compete in the birth nation, for Lille and Strasbourg respectively.

Gessime Yassine also plays for Strasbourg, having moved from Dunkerque during the 2026 January transfer window, whilst Roma’s Neil El Aynaoui started out at Ligue 2 side Nancy.

Spain – 6

Caean Couto via Reuters

Similarly, a sizable portion of the Moroccan squad were born across the Alboran Sea in Spain. National team captain, Achraf Hakimi, was born in the Spanish capital of Madrid, before starting his professional career with Real. Current Real Madrid star, Brahim Diaz, initially represented Spain, earning a single cap after an international friendly against Lithuania in 2021 before switching to represent Morocco.

Shotstopper Munir Mohamedi was actually born on the North African coast in the Spanish autonomous city of Melilla, whilst Crystal Palace centre-half Chadi Riad was also born in Spain. The two remaining Spanish-born Moroccans are Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ayoube Amaimouni and Bayern Munich’s recent transfer Ismael Saibari.

Morocco – 7

Just over a quarter of the entire Moroccan national team were actually born within the borders of the country they represent. Goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti still plays his domestic football in his birth country, with FAR Rabat, whilst Marwane Saadane started his career at rivals FUS Rabat, before a stint in Turkey saw him move to Al Fateh FC in Saudi Arabia.

Defender Youssef Belammari played in Morocco for seven years before moving to Egypt’s Al Ahly SC, whilst 26-year-old Azzedine Ounahi has featured in three top-flight divisions across Europe. Forwards Ayoub El Kaabi and Soufiane Rahimi were both born in the North African nation, whilst Angers’ winger Amine Sbaï was born in Sidi Kacem.

The hotly anticipated bout between British boxing legends Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will have an unusual start time if it is to take place at Wembley Stadium.

Saudi Arabian boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, who is the major driving force behind the bout, has said that the fight will need to take place at a time that is suitable for the global audience. He also said he would hold talks with the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, in hope of securing approval of the late start time.

Khan has previously stated his support for the fight to be held in London but has yet to comment on a possible start time. Alalshikh had previously posted on social media saying he had so far been told the later start time was not an option.

There is currently an 11pm curfew for Wembley Stadium. Brent Council, who would have a big involvement in allowing the extension of that curfew, have said that it would be assessed by the stadium’s safety advisory group.

Turki Alalshikh Confirms Planned Start Time For Fury vs Joshua

Responding to a social media report from Sky Sports regarding the start time, Alalshikh wrote “2am”, confirming a late-night kick-off for British fans for the biggest fight in the country’s history, if it is to happen at Wembley.

The reason for the 2am start time is so that the fight is at a suitable time for the US audience. Speaking prior to his tweet, Turki stated:

“I tell you from the beginning, it depends if England gives us all that we need. We want the fight here in England. But we want the time zone of all the world, especially in America. If they allowed us to have Wembley late in the night, we want to do it in England. It is about the time and viewership.”

Fans React to Planned Fury vs Joshua Start Time

Despite Alalshikh making the situation clear, fans were absolutely fuming after hearing news of the planned 2am start time, with many holding nothing back as they replied to the Saudi power broker.

“You absolute rat, it’s a British fight between two Brits in Britain. It should be on in British time, not at two in the morning,” raged one fan.

A second agreed: “This is a UK fight with two UK heavyweights. A fight in winter in the UK at 2am with no roof? You are an idiot!”

Another asked: “Why? Please explain why Americans are being catered to for a BRITISH fight between two BRITISH fighters. I don’t think Americans even care about this fight,” before a final reply simply stated: “No thanks, mate. 2am might have worked for me five years ago!”

Speaking on the potential for Wembley to host the fight, a spokesperson for Sadiq Khan said: “Sadiq has made clear that London would be the perfect place to stage the long-awaited bout between Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury and the Mayor stands ready to support ambitions to bring the event to our capital as we build a better London for everyone.”

Despite this, Alalshikh later posted on social media: “Hopefully a positive statement from the Mayor of London’s office about a later start time if Fury v Joshua is in London, as so far we have been told it is not possible.”

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn recently backed up Turki’s reasoning for the planned late-night start time when speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT. No official date has been announced for the fight yet, but it is rumoured to have been pencilled in for November.

Both Fury and Joshua will warm up for their bout with fights later this month. Firstly, Fury will face Mariusz Wach on the 24th of July in Thailand, before Joshua faces Kristian Prenga the next day in Saudi Arabia. Both bouts, ironically, are set to be in UK prime time.

Can Cristiano Ronaldo be considered the greatest footballer of all time if he didn’t win the sport’s most prestigious trophy: the FIFA World Cup?

That’s a debate that’s surfaced after Ronaldo failed to win the World Cup on his sixth and final attempt this summer.

The 41-year-old scored three goals at this summer’s showpiece international tournament – an impressive achievement in itself given his age – but it became increasingly clear that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s best days are now long behind him.

Some people believe this was one major tournament too many for Ronaldo. Former Aston Villa and England forward Gabriel Agbonlahor went as far to say the veteran superstar “cost Portugal” the World Cup.

He said: “There will be a lot of players like [Bruno] Fernandes, [Joao] Neves, Vitinha, [Nuno] Mendes… they’ll be looking and thinking ‘legend of a player for the country, but because of him we’re going home’.”

Messi, Pele and Maradona All Won World Cup

Ronaldo insists that winning the European Championship with Portugal in 2016 means as much as a World Cup triumph, in his eyes.

But his status among football’s all-time greats may be affected by his failure to add the World Cup to his extensive silverware collection.

The likes of Lionel Messi, Pele and Diego Maradona – legendary players Ronaldo is often mentioned in the same breath as – all managed to win the World Cup during their own illustrious careers, playing starring roles in the process.

That his long-term rival Messi leads the race for the Golden Boot award with eight goals, aged 39, and has dragged his national team through to the quarter-finals has added further weight to the argument that the Argentina captain has settled the debate for good.

Henry’s Verdict on Ronaldo’s Legacy After World Cup Exit

REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

However, former Arsenal and Barcelona star Thierry Henry insists Ronaldo’s “untouchable” legacy will not be negatively impacted by his failure to win the World Cup with Portugal.

“A lot of great players didn’t win the World Cup, that doesn’t define their legacy,” the Frenchman said on FOX Sports. “His legacy is untouchable.

“Whatever he’s going to decide, I wish him all the best, I wish he can pass 1000 goals, he inspired a lot of kids, especially with the way he breathes, lives and thinks football.

“Look at his body, look at how he is. He’s an example for everybody, so big man: all the very best in what you wish to do.”

Ronaldo’s Next Move Unclear

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo looks dejected vs Spain via Reuters/Maria Lysaker

It remains to be seen whether Ronaldo will decide to call time on his extraordinary international career after 233 appearances and 146 goals.

“I’m sad to be leaving the World Cup like this,” he said after Portugal’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the last 16. “I gave it my all. I did my best. It was my last World Cup, yes, but I’ll now have time to reflect and be with my family. I won’t be making any rash decisions.

“I don’t decide anything in the heat of the moment. Now is not important whether I will continue [to play]. Tomorrow I will get up the same way I got up today: with a clear conscience.

“I played 23 years in the national team and won three titles. Before Cristiano, Portugal had not won anything. The Euros was the most important. For me, 2016 has the same dimension as a World Cup, honestly.”