El Ouahdi: "Being at the World Cup is a childhood dream, although competition in the Moroccan national team will be tough"

T.E (Elbotola)

18 April 2026at16:06

Genk's right-back, Zakaria El Ouahdi, aims to secure his place with the Moroccan national team in the upcoming World Cup, despite intense competition in his position.

In a statement to the Belgian newspaper "HBVL," El Ouahdi said: "Playing in the World Cup with Morocco would be the fulfillment of a childhood dream, even though the competition for a place in the team will be extremely strong."

He explained: "Achraf Hakimi is the best right-back in the world, Noussair Mazraoui plays for Manchester United, and Omar El Hilali, the Espanyol player, is also a high-level talent."

El Ouahdi, 23, was recently called up to the senior national team, playing some minutes in a friendly match against Paraguay at the end of March, expressing his hope that he had "left a good impression."

Q&A

What is Zakaria El Ouahdi's main goal regarding the Moroccan national team?

Zakaria El Ouahdi's main goal is to secure a place in the Moroccan national team for the upcoming World Cup. He views playing in the tournament as the fulfillment of a childhood dream, despite acknowledging the significant challenge ahead.

How tough is the competition for Zakaria El Ouahdi's position in the Moroccan squad?

The competition for Zakaria El Ouahdi's right-back position in the Moroccan squad is extremely tough. He faces world-class talent, including a player from Manchester United and another considered the best in the world, making his path challenging.

What steps has Zakaria El Ouahdi taken recently to impress the national team coaches?

Zakaria El Ouahdi recently received a call-up to the senior national team, where he played minutes in a friendly match. He hopes this appearance left a positive impression on the coaches as he vies for a World Cup spot.

Morocco

Zakaria El Ouahdi

FIFA World Cup