Morocco's football federation president said he hopes to face Spain in a 2026 World Cup final to show Yamal his choice to play for Spain was correct.
9:08 AM
Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, said he would like Morocco to meet Spain in a final at the 2026 World Cup to demonstrate to player Lamine Yamal whether his decision to represent Spain was the right one.
Speaking to the platform Aljazeera360 on Sunday, Lekjaa made the comment with an ironic tone while emphasizing his respect for Yamal's choice. "I hope we meet him in a final to clarify whether he chose well," Lekjaa said.
Yamal, 18, was born in Spain to a Moroccan father. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation pursued the Barcelona player persistently, holding multiple meetings with him in both Morocco and Spain in an attempt to convince him to join the national team. Ultimately, the federation was unsuccessful, and Yamal opted to play for Spain's national squad.
Lekjaa explained that the federation presented Yamal with Morocco's football project and its objectives during their recruitment efforts. Despite the unsuccessful bid, Lekjaa stated that the federation respects Yamal's decision and wishes him success.
Meanwhile, Spain's head coach Luis de la Fuente confirmed that both Yamal and Nico Williams will be available for Spain's opening World Cup match against Cape Verde on Monday, though neither will be able to play a full 90 minutes.
Both players missed the end of their domestic seasons due to hamstring injuries. Yamal and Williams did not feature in Spain's pre-tournament friendlies against Iraq and Peru. De la Fuente said the two players are in the "same situation" and will be able to feature against Cape Verde but in a limited capacity.
"Let me decide who starts," De la Fuente said at a news conference on Sunday. "Lamine is in perfect condition."
The 18-year-old Spanish forward sustained a left hamstring injury Wednesday but is expected to recover in time for the World Cup.
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