Ajax talent Abdellah Ouazane commits his international future to Morocco

Ajax midfielder Abdellah Ouazane has decided to represent Morocco at international level, ending speculation over whether he would choose the Atlas Lions or the Netherlands, according to Dutch media.

The 17-year-old, who has represented both countries at youth level, ultimately chose Morocco «by following his heart», citing people close to the player. While Morocco’s long-term recruitment strategy played a role, his entourage said the decision was driven primarily by personal conviction rather than planning, stressing that he also had a positive experience with the Dutch setup.

Ouazane made his debut for Morocco’s youth teams in 2023. Former Royal Moroccan Football Federation technical director Chris van Puyvelde said the midfielder’s recruitment was part of a broader strategy to strengthen ties with the Moroccan diaspora. The Belgian official, who worked for the federation between 2022 and 2025, said he maintained close contact with Ouazane and his family, including frequent conversations with his mother to reassure her about her son’s future.

Ouazane will now focus on breaking into Morocco’s senior national team while competing for a place in Ajax’s first team. A move to Real Madrid appeared imminent a year ago but collapsed at the last moment.