Morocco's Firm Stance on Abde Ezzalzouli's International Duty
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has drawn a clear line with Real Betis. Abde Ezzalzouli will report for international duty. No exceptions.
According to Moroccan outlet "Le360 Sport", the federation rejected a formal request from the Spanish club, who had asked for the winger to be excused from Mohamed Ouahbi’s squad for the upcoming matches against Gabon and Lesotho.
Betis wanted Ezzalzouli to skip Morocco’s September camp, which includes travel to South Africa, where the Atlas Lions are set to prepare for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash with Lesotho. The idea was simple from the club’s side: keep their player close, avoid extra miles on his legs, and reduce risk.
That argument collapsed the moment Ezzalzouli stepped onto the pitch for Betis against Villarreal.
His involvement in that game only strengthened Morocco’s position. The federation took it as concrete proof that the winger is fit, available, and in competitive rhythm. From their perspective, if he is ready to play for Betis, he is ready to play for Morocco.
No lingering injury. No fitness doubts. No reason to stay away.
Inside the federation, the stance is straightforward: unless a new medical issue appears in the coming days, nothing should prevent Ezzalzouli from joining the national team during the international break.
Upcoming Matches
The timing matters. Morocco face Gabon on 25 September and Lesotho on 29 September, both fixtures counting towards qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals. These are not friendlies to experiment without consequence. They are building blocks in a campaign Morocco expect to dominate.
Ouahbi is shaping his team with that in mind. The coach is due to announce his final squad for the September camp next Thursday, a 23-man list that will not only confirm Ezzalzouli’s status but also answer bigger questions around the group’s evolution.
Several players from Morocco’s last World Cup run could find themselves on the outside this time. Competition is tightening. Places are no longer guaranteed.
Ezzalzouli, though, looks well placed. His recent minutes with Betis strengthen the coaching staff’s argument for calling him up, and the federation’s refusal to bend to club pressure underlines how highly they value his role in the project.
The message from Rabat is unmistakable: the national team comes first. The only unknown now is how far this hardened stance will push Morocco in their chase for continental dominance.
