Abderrazak Hamdallah recalled by Morocco for World Cup

He’s back and going to the World Cup.

After weeks of speculation, rumors and reports, Abderrazak Hamdallah has been named in the Morocco squad for the World Cup. The Al-Ittihad striker has been banging in the goals in the Saudi Pro League for years and has been banging on the door of the national team.

Now it has been opened by new head coach Walid Regragui, and he has a chance to show what he can do in a tough but exciting group containing Croatia, Belgium and Canada. 

After more than three years in the international wilderness it is a long-awaited return. The 31-year-old had announced his retirement in November 2019 after being left out by the then-coach Vahid Halilhodzic.

His last game came in June that year, a 1-0 defeat against Gambia in a friendly when he was angry after not being allowed to take a last-minute penalty that was then missed. Hamdallah proceeded to walk out of the training camp before the African Nations Cup, and has not been seen in an Atlas Lions shirt since.

It was significant then that earlier this month the two-time Saudi Arabia Golden Boot winner apologized for his actions.

“I personally think that I should not have made this mistake,” he said. “My departure from the national team camp in 2019 is a black point in my football career, and I should not have done this. I apologize to the Moroccan fans.”

There have been reports that Hamdallah had fallen out with his teammates but he has been keen to stress that relationships are fine.

“Many media reports indicate that my relationship is not good with the players of the Moroccan national team, and this is not true. I communicate with more than 60 percent of the national team players almost daily,” he said.

While Hamdallah can be a difficult