2026 World Cup: Hakim Ziyech’s Morocco future fades as injury setbacks end comeback hopes

Hakim Ziyech’s international career with Morocco appears to have quietly reached its conclusion, after a late attempt to reintegrate the experienced winger into the national setup failed to materialise due to persistent injury setbacks.

Sources indicate that Morocco’s head coach, Mohammed Ouahbi, had seriously considered including the former Ajax and Chelsea star, who now plays for Wydad Athletic Club, in a preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup for what was expected to be one final major tournament appearance.

The idea was understood to be driven by both Ziyech’s pedigree and his long-standing influence within the national team.

However, despite the intention to bring him back into the fold, repeated fitness problems disrupted those plans.

His ongoing injury struggles ultimately forced a reassessment from the technical team, and the proposed return gradually lost momentum before being shelved entirely.

Ziyech, one of Morocco’s most gifted attacking players of the modern era, has been central to several defining moments for the national side over the past decade.

His creativity, set-piece ability, and experience at top European level made him a key figure in Morocco’s rise on the continental and global stage.

The development marks a symbolic turning point, as it now appears increasingly likely that the 31-year-old will not feature again for the Atlas Lions.

He leaves behind a significant international legacy, finishing among Morocco’s most influential attacking players and widely regarded as one of the country’s second all-time top scorers in terms of impact and contribution.

While no formal announcement has been made, the direction of events suggests a quiet closing chapter rather than a ceremonial farewell — the end of an era for one of Morocco’s most technically gifted footballers.