Moroccan Federation Denies Real Betis Request for Abde Ezzalzouli

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has drawn a clear line in the sand over Abde Ezzalzouli.

According to Moroccan outlet "Le360 Sport", the federation has rejected a request from Real Betis to excuse the winger from Mohamed Ouahbi’s latest Morocco call-up, ahead of the September international break.

Morocco say no

Betis had approached the federation seeking a waiver that would allow Ezzalzouli to skip the upcoming camp, which includes matches against Gabon and Lesotho. The Spanish club wanted their player to remain in Seville rather than make the long trip to South Africa, where the Atlas Lions are due to prepare for the Lesotho clash in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

The answer from Rabat was blunt: no.

If Ezzalzouli can play for Betis, he can play for Morocco. That is effectively the federation’s position. His recent appearance in Betis’s match against Villarreal only reinforced their stance, with officials reportedly satisfied that he has no injury or fitness issue that would justify missing national-team duty.

Full commitment demanded

From the federation’s point of view, club minutes are the clearest proof of readiness. As long as Ezzalzouli is featuring in La Liga, they see no reason to grant an exemption. Only a new development in his physical condition in the coming days would change that equation.

Morocco face Gabon on 25 September and Lesotho on 29 September, both games forming part of the qualification path for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals. These are not friendlies to be treated lightly. They are competitive fixtures in a cycle that will shape the next phase of the Atlas Lions’ project under Ouahbi.

The coach is preparing to announce his final squad for the September camp, with his 23-man list expected next Thursday. That squad will not just decide who lines up against Gabon and Lesotho; it will also send a message about the future of several players from Morocco’s last World Cup campaign, some of whom could now be left out.

Right now, Ezzalzouli stands on the right side of that line. The federation has already shut down Betis’s attempt to keep him in Spain, and his recent minutes in green and white only strengthen the case for his inclusion.

The ball now is at Ouahbi’s feet. Who makes that 23, and who slips out of the picture, as Morocco tighten their grip on the road to 2027?