World Cup semifinalist Morocco recruit France U21 player Diop to start qualifying for 2026 edition

09.11.2023 - 14:37 arabnews.com

SALE, Morocco: World Cup semifinalist Morocco will start their qualifying campaign for the 2026 tournament with a newly-recruited France Under-21 player named in the squad for the first time Thursday.

Sofiane Diop, a midfielder with French league leader Nice, was picked by coach Walid Regragui for the scheduled games at home to Eritrea next Thursday and in Tanzania on Nov.

21. The 23-year-old Diop was born in France and has family ties to Morocco and Senegal. FIFA rules let players change their national eligibility before they have played a senior competitive game. “He’s a player who could have chosen other countries also,” Regragui said at a news conference. “He’s deserved to be with us.” Eritrea are reportedly withdrawing their team from the qualifying campaign, but Regragui said FIFA has not yet confirmed cancelation of the game with Morocco in Agadir.

At the 2022 World Cup, Regragui called on several players from the Moroccan diaspora in Europe to build a squad that stunningly became the first African country to reach the semifinals.

FIFA Champions League Napoli cup player Bayern Munich Nuno Santo Walid Regragui Nice France Belgium Croatia Spain Portugal Usa Mexico Canada Senegal Morocco Saudi Arabia county Union Eritrea Tanzania

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