Issa Diop made his Morocco debut just hours after getting the nod and spurning Senegal’s progress.
Published on 28 March 2026
Amid the controversy surrounding Senegal being stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title and Morocco being declared winners, Issa Diop’s international debut proved to be an irony as well as a public relations coup.
The Fulham defender was born in France and played for the country at under-21 level, but on Thursday his application to change nationality to Morocco was approved by FIFA, the world football governing body, and he was immediately included in the starting lineup for Friday night’s 1-1 draw against Ecuador in Madrid.
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Diop, whose father is Senegalese and mother Moroccan, had previously rejected offers to play for both countries, despite remaining hopeful that he could represent France.
The 29-year-old has stated several times that he wanted to play for Les Bleus, but having received no call-up from France coach Didier Deschamps, he has now potentially taken up the opportunity to play for Morocco at the World Cup.
“I was very happy to play in a team with a lot of good players and I think I made a good choice,” Diop said after Friday’s match.
Diop spoke to Morocco’s new coach Mohamed Ouahabi and Moroccan Federation President Fauzi Lekja.
“He explained his vision to me, and a happy group of players welcomed me with open arms, with a great atmosphere in the camp,” he said.
North Africans have a track record of hard-selling players they believe can improve their national team, but this is the first tug-of-war over player loyalty they have had with any other African country.
Senegal also wields considerable influence among its diaspora in France and the 28-man squad that won the Cup of Nations in Morocco in January included 12 French-born players. Senegal this week formally protested the Confederation of African Football’s appeal board’s decision to strip them of the title. He was deprived of the final in Rabat on 18 January after he walked off the field in protest against a potentially decisive penalty awarded to Morocco, but the case has now been referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The spat between the two countries continued on Friday when Senegal held a news conference ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Peru in front of a banner reading “Champions of Africa”.
They are expected to display the Cup of Nations trophy to supporters before the match at the Stade de France.
