Morocco Fields 18 Europe-Born Players Against Canada as Dual Nationals Reshape World Cup Rosters
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 4
Morocco Fields 18 Europe-Born Players Against Canada as Dual Nationals Reshape World Cup Rosters
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 4
Summary
Morocco opened against Canada with 18 of 26 squad members born in Europe, underscoring how diaspora recruitment now defines elite international rosters.
Canada has followed a similar path, explicitly targeting dual nationals; midfielder Stephen Eustáquio, who once represented Portugal at youth level, chose Canada and scored the goal that sent it into the match.
That shift has been accelerated by looser FIFA switching rules since 2004 and the 48-team World Cup, which expanded African and Asian places and gave Europe-based heritage players a clearer route to the tournament.
Morocco’s rise also rests on domestic investment since 2009, reinforcing a model that helped drive its 2022 semifinal run and now bolsters its standing ahead of co-hosting the 2030 World Cup.