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Rabat – As Morocco continues to gain international attention, an old argument has returned: many Atlas Lions players were born outside the country.
That fact is correct. The conclusion often drawn from it is not.
A birthplace tells us where someone entered the world. It does not fully define nationality, identity, culture, or belonging.
For millions of Moroccans living abroad, Morocco remains part of their daily lives through their families, language, traditions, food, music, and regular visits to the country.
A Moroccan born in Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam, or Brussels does not suddenly stop being Moroccan.
Moroccan analyst and author Samir Bennis has responded to criticism and claims from many foreign commentators, who now alleged how Morocco has only one player born in Morocco.
The co-founder of Morocco World News responded to one of the commentators, emphasizing the attachment of Moroccans to Morocco, no matter where their place of birth was.
“Unlike many European countries, former colonial powers that have historically benefited from the talents and resources of their former colonies, Morocco has never been a colonial power,” Bennis wrote on X.
He also emphasized how Morocco draws from the “rich pool of talent within its global diaspora whose members remain deeply connected.”
The analyst stressed that whether Moroccans live in any part of the world or beyond, they remain faithful to their nationality and their homeland, stressing how Moroccan identity is not defined solely by place of birth.
“It is shaped by a shared history, culture, heritage, and sense of belonging,” Bennis said.
“It is rooted in a civilization with profound historical depth and a remarkably rich cultural legacy, one that continues to unite Moroccans across generations and continents,” the analyst concluded.
Moroccan by Law and family
Under Moroccan nationality law, a child born to a Moroccan mother or father can be Moroccan regardless of where the birth takes place.
Many players representing the national team are therefore not foreigners recruited shortly before a tournament.
They are Moroccan citizens by descent and are eligible under both Moroccan law and FIFA regulations.
Achraf Hakimi was born in Madrid to Moroccan parents. He joined Morocco’s national setup as a teenager and has become one of the main faces of Moroccan football.
Sofyan Amrabat was born and developed in the Netherlands but chose to represent Morocco after appearing for Dutch youth teams.
Brahim Diaz was born in Malaga and previously played for Spain. When discussing his identity, he has described himself as fully Spanish and fully Moroccan.
His choice does not require him to reject one side of his background to respect the other.
Yes, indeed, many Moroccan players were not born in Morocco. However, your tweet comes across as rather superficial and reveals a limited understanding of Morocco and Moroccan identity.
Before making such claims, I would encourage you to learn more about the Moroccan people and… https://t.co/6VGCtwPjsl
— Samir Bennis (@SamirBennis) June 14, 2026
Dual identity is not divided loyalty. A person can belong sincerely to two countries, cultures, and communities.
Morocco Is not an exception
Foreign-born players are now common across international football.
Nearly one in four players selected for the 2026 World Cup was born outside the country represented.
Morocco’s squad has a high number, but so do several other teams drawing from large diaspora communities.
Focusing only on Morocco suggests that its players must prove a level of belonging that is not always demanded from European or other national teams.
Morocco is also not using a legal loophole. Every player must meet FIFA’s nationality and family-link requirements, and every association works under the same rules.
The real question should be whether the players are eligible, committed, and good enough. Morocco’s players meet all three conditions.
Morocco’s football progress cannot be reduced to recruiting players trained in Europe.
The country has invested in academies, coaching, stadiums, youth development, women’s football, and domestic clubs.
Local and foreign-born players are part of the same system, not opposing groups.
The 2022 World Cup team included 14 foreign-born players, but it also included footballers developed in Morocco. Together, they became the first African and Arab team to reach a World Cup semifinal.
That achievement did not belong only to players born in one country. It belonged to Morocco.
A Different Historical Context
Comparisons with former European colonial powers also need context.
Modern Morocco did not build the type of overseas colonial empire that shaped migration between several European countries and their former colonies.
Morocco itself was placed under French and Spanish control during the first half of the 20th century before regaining independence in 1956.
Its current football model mainly draws from families who left Morocco through migration but maintained links with their country of origin.
That is a diaspora story, not a colonial recruitment project.
Morocco’s historic 2022 campaign earned admiration far beyond its borders. Fans across Africa, the Arab world, and other regions supported the Atlas Lions as they defeated Belgium, Spain, and Portugal.
That international interest has continued into the 2026 World Cup, where Morocco began its campaign by holding Brazil to a 1-1 draw.
Many neutral fans now see Morocco as a serious football nation rather than a temporary underdog.
It is fair to debate squad selection or ask whether more domestic league players deserve opportunities.
But denying someone’s Moroccan identity only because they were born abroad is a weak argument.
Moroccan identity does not end at the country’s borders. The diaspora is not separate from Morocco. It is part of Morocco.
