“All Moroccans who aren’t good enough for the Dutch national team choose Morocco”: the Dutch are also weighing in on the debate about players with dual nationality

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The original was posted on /r/soccer by /u/Utegenthal on 2026-03-30 13:43:45+00:00.

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Ajax player Rayane Bounida’s (20) decision to choose Morocco over the Red Devils was also a topic of discussion on the Dutch talk show ‘Studio Voetbal’. After all, the Dutch national team also has to contend with players who opt for the Moroccan national side. Former international Rafael van der Vaart isn’t too concerned. “I don’t want to sound petty, but…”

After Chemsdine Talbi, Belgium lost a second top talent to Morocco in the form of Bounida. Both had, however, come through the Belgian youth ranks. Our compatriot and analyst Imke Courtois was in the studio of ‘Studio Voetbal’ – a Dutch talk show – on Sunday evening and spoke, among other things, about Bounida’s choice.

“It’s obviously in the press and we’re sad about it. I can’t argue with that. It very often has to do with roots, the choice of the heart,… There’s no point in trying to convince the player after all.”

After which 43-time Dutch international Wim Kieft said that it is about more than just ‘a matter of the heart’. “You also have to weigh up whether you’re going to play. At the same time, Morocco is on the rise. If they now have to choose between Morocco and Belgium, they might think they have a better chance of success with the Moroccan national team.”

Not good enough

The Netherlands has also ‘lost’ players to Morocco in the past. Think of players like Hakim Ziyech, Sofyan Amrabat and Noussair Mazraoui. Recently, five regular youth internationals for the Oranje ultimately opted for Morocco.

Although analyst Rafael van der Vaart – who earned 109 caps for the Dutch national team – isn’t too concerned about it. “I don’t want to sound petty, but all the Moroccans who aren’t good enough here end up playing for Morocco. Only Ziyech – I would have liked to have had him on our side back then. If you reach the World Cup semi-finals and want to win the tournament, as we do in the Netherlands, then you’re not going to worry about Morocco.”