Ajax youngster Abdellah Ouazane commits international future to Morocco

Ajax academy midfielder Abdellah Ouazane has reportedly committed his international future to Morocco, bringing an end to speculation over whether he would represent the Atlas Lions or the Netherlands at senior level.

According to Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad (AD), the 17-year-old has chosen Morocco despite previously featuring for both countries in youth international football. The report adds that although Ouazane represented the Netherlands at youth level, he no longer sees the Dutch senior team as his long-term international destination.

‘Heart’ played decisive role

AD reports that the midfielder carefully considered his options before making his final decision, with personal conviction ultimately proving more influential than recruitment efforts.

“It was a matter of weighing things up, a lot of thinking, before he ultimately followed his heart,” AD wrote. “It was not Morocco’s planned approach, but his personal feelings that proved decisive, according to those close to him, although that did not mean he lacked a good feeling about the Netherlands.”

Ouazane first represented Morocco at youth level in 2023 before continuing to play for both Morocco and the Netherlands across different age groups. His latest decision appears to confirm his commitment to the Atlas Lions.

Part of Morocco’s diaspora strategy

The report also highlighted comments from former Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) technical director Chris van Puyvelde, who described Ouazane’s recruitment as part of Morocco’s wider strategy to attract talented players from the Moroccan diaspora.

“Our plan with Appie worked well,” Van Puyvelde told the Dutch newspaper, referring to Ouazane by his nickname.

The Belgian, who served as the FRMF’s technical director between 2022 and 2025, explained that the federation had made a deliberate effort to strengthen relationships with dual-national players.

“It was part of the new policy to pay much more attention to the diaspora,” he said, adding that he remained in regular contact with the player and his family throughout the process.

Family trust key to decision

Van Puyvelde also revealed that many of those conversations involved Ouazane’s mother, stressing that building trust with families was just as important as discussing football matters.

“I had a lot of contact with his mother. Mothers have carried a child for nine months and have different concerns from fathers, who often want to talk about football. Mothers want to know whether their child will end up in the right place. She often called me with questions,” he told AD.

Focus turns to club and country

With his international future now seemingly settled, Ouazane is expected to concentrate on breaking into Ajax’s first team under head coach Michel while continuing his development with Morocco.

The talented midfielder had appeared destined to join Real Madrid last year, but the proposed move reportedly collapsed at the final stage, allowing Ajax to retain one of the club’s brightest young prospects.

His decision represents another boost for Morocco as the Atlas Lions continue to strengthen their squad with emerging talent from across the Moroccan diaspora.