Abdellah Ouazane’s Morocco call-up revealed after brief squad-list confusion

At 17, Abdellah Ouazane experienced a moment of disappointment before discovering he had been selected for Morocco’s senior squad for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers.

When head coach Mohamed Ouahbi announced his squad, the Ajax Amsterdam player initially searched for his name among the midfielders. It was not there.

“I told myself: it’s not a problem, it will be next time, inshaAllah,” Ouazane said.

His uncertainty lasted only a few moments. His name appeared further down the list, among the forwards.

“I called my mum straight away,” he added, after learning he had received his first call-up to Morocco’s senior team.

The selection marks another step in a rapid rise for a player who is already well known within Morocco’s youth set-up. In 2025, Ouazane helped Morocco win the Africa Cup of Nations Under-17 tournament and was named its best player.

Developed by Ajax, the attacking midfielder has since moved into the Dutch club’s first-team environment. His start to the season, including his first decisive contributions, persuaded Ouahbi to give him an opportunity with the Atlas Lions at just 17.

The Morocco manager had also travelled to Amsterdam to watch him in person.

Ouazane was one of six notable new additions to Ouahbi’s first squad since the World Cup. Although the teenager was listed among the forwards, that designation does not necessarily define the position he will occupy on the pitch.

He can play centrally, operate behind a striker or start from a wide position while helping to create opportunities. His technical ability and capacity to carry the ball forward give Ouahbi another option in the final third.

That does not guarantee an immediate starting place. Competition for positions is strong, while Ouazane accepts that he still has “a lot to learn” from the more experienced members of the squad.

Morocco will host Gabon on Friday before travelling to face Lesotho on 29 September. The team will then play Ghana in a friendly.

That run of matches could give Ouazane his first senior minutes, although there is no expectation that he must immediately become the face of a new generation. His initial task will be to settle into the group and demonstrate in training what he can offer.

For Ouazane, the significance of the call-up is already clear. Representing Morocco is “an honour”, and he says he is ready to give everything for the national team.

What began with a brief scare as he looked in the wrong section of the squad list ended as one of the most important days of his young career.