Kays Barry named in Morocco Olympic squad after international eligibility switch

Anderlecht defender Kays Houdoussi Barry has chosen Morocco as the country he will represent internationally, ending uncertainty over his future after he had represented Belgium at youth level.

Barry, who is eligible to play for Morocco, Cote d’Ivoire and Belgium, has completed the necessary change of sporting nationality with FIFA. He has subsequently been called up by Jamal Ait Ben Idir for Morocco’s next Olympic team gathering.

The camp will take place from 21 September to 6 October and includes friendly matches against Mali and Tanzania. It is expected to lead to Barry’s first appearance for Morocco U23.

The decision marks a change of direction for the central defender, who has so far played for Belgium, including at under-19 level.

Barry’s international choice carries particular significance because of his family background. He is the son of Boubacar “Copa” Barry, the former Cote d’Ivoire goalkeeper who remains one of the most recognisable figures in the country’s football history.

Copa Barry was part of the Cote d’Ivoire side that won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, becoming one of the key figures in the final victory over Ghana. During the penalty shootout, he saved one of Ghana’s attempts before scoring the decisive penalty himself, securing the Elephants’ second continental title.

He has recently joined Herve Renard’s staff.

Belgium also has a strong connection to the Barry family. Copa Barry spent 10 years at Lokeren, where his son began his football education before moving to Neerpede and joining Anderlecht around six years ago.

Kays Barry signed his first professional contract with Sporting in August 2023. The defender is continuing his development with RSCA Futures in the Challenger Pro League this season and has already made seven appearances.

His background gave him an unusual international choice: Cote d’Ivoire, the country represented by his father; Belgium, where he grew up and developed as a footballer; or Morocco, his mother’s country.

He has now opted for the third of those possibilities, with his FIFA clearance completed and his first Morocco U23 involvement to follow.