Ayoub Oufkir has decided to represent Morocco at international level. After receiving his first call-up to the Morocco national team, the AZ forward informed the KNVB of his decision.
Decision confirmed by AZ manager
According to Algemeen Dagblad, Oufkir informed the KNVB on Wednesday. AZ manager Leeroy Echteld confirmed the decision at a press conference ahead of the Europa League match against Juventus.
Echteld said: "We spoke about it. My first instinct will always be to steer him towards the Netherlands, because I come from here, but it is his choice. Ayoub is going to Morocco."
Netherlands Under-21 option ends
During the previous international break, Oufkir started for the Netherlands Under-21s. Michael Reiziger can no longer call on Oufkir for the Netherlands Under-21s' European Championship play-offs.
First Morocco call-up
Oufkir was called up to the Morocco national team for the first time on Wednesday. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi included the 20-year-old forward in his squad for the first time.
Two Niger qualifiers in November
Morocco host Niger in Casablanca on Friday 13 November and meet Niger again in Rabat on Tuesday 17 November. The two matches are part of the third and fourth rounds of qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Morocco go into the two matches top of Group A with 6 points from two games, and the fixtures offer Oufkir the chance to play his first minutes as a senior Morocco international.
