In recent years, a phenomenon has been gaining momentum in Belgian football: the exodus of talents of Moroccan descent to the Moroccan national team. What was once a rare occurrence, with players like Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli opting for the Red Devils, has now become a significant trend. The coach of the Red Devils is facing a difficult situation. What once seemed almost certain for talented footballers like Marouane Fellaini has now become a tough decision for young Belgian-Moroccan players. How can Belgium convince dual nationals who witnessed Morocco's World Cup victory over Belgium in Qatar in 2022, and the team's remarkable journey to the semi-finals? This shift can be attributed to several factors, according to the Flemish football site Voetbalkrant: the proactive approach of the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), the state-of-the-art infrastructure in Morocco, and a growing mistrust of Belgium's management of players from immigrant backgrounds. A Paradigm Shift In the past, Belgium naturally attracted talent from its diverse population. However, today, the FRMF no longer waits for a player to become a star before making a move. Recruitment now begins as early as the U15 or U16 categories, with significant efforts to attract young talents before they even have to make a choice. Morocco understands the importance of identity and belonging. Unlike Belgium, where the integration of players from immigrant backgrounds remains a sensitive issue, the FRMF sends a consistent message, embracing their roots. Another major difference is the infrastructure. The Mohammed VI Center, considered one of the best training facilities in Africa, is a significant asset for Morocco. «The quality of the facilities, the professionalism of the coaching staff, and even the extras like parental support make a huge difference», says the father of a young Belgian-Moroccan player. In contrast, Belgium struggles to keep up. «The country doesn't even have a modern national stadium, while Morocco is about to build the biggest stadium in the world», the same source quips. Belgian Pressure Backfires Faced with this talent drain, some Belgian leaders are attempting to pressure dual nationals into making their decision earlier. Vincent Mannaert, a key figure in Belgian football, recently called for young players to commit as soon as possible. However, this rigid approach could backfire. In Belgium, some players of Moroccan descent feel overlooked or even discriminated against, which fuels their decision to represent Morocco instead. Recent examples are plentiful: Bilal El Khannouss, Anass Zaroury, Chemsdine Talbi, and Ismaël Baouf have all chosen Morocco over Belgium. Even the youngest players, like 15- or 16-year-olds Ilyes Benachour and Dalil Ouadrassi, are being courted by Morocco's coaching staff. This phenomenon is not exclusive to Belgium. Players such as Noussair Mazraoui and Sofyan Amrabat (Netherlands), Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz (Spain), and Amine Adli and Eliesse Ben Seghir (France) have all chosen Morocco over their countries of birth.
