World Cup 2026: Fouzi Lekjaa sends playful challenge to Lamine Yamal

Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan Football Federation, has revisited the long-standing story of Lamine Yamal’s international allegiance, revealing that he hopes to face the Spain star in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Yamal, who was born in Spain to a Moroccan father and a mother from Equatorial Guinea, was heavily courted by Morocco before ultimately deciding to represent Spain at senior international level. The Barcelona forward is now expected to play a key role for La Roja during the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Lekjaa’s Light-Hearted Challenge
Following Morocco’s impressive start to the World Cup, which included a 1-1 draw against Brazil, Lekjaa spoke about the possibility of a future meeting between the Atlas Lions and Spain.

Speaking to Al Jazeera 360, the Moroccan football chief said he would love to see the two nations meet in the tournament’s showpiece event. In a light-hearted and sarcastic tone, he suggested such a match would provide the perfect opportunity to show Yamal whether choosing Spain over Morocco was the right decision.

Despite the playful remarks, Lekjaa reiterated his respect for the young forward’s decision and wished him success throughout his career.

Morocco’s Pursuit of the Barcelona Star
The Moroccan Football Federation made significant efforts to convince Yamal to represent the Atlas Lions. Federation officials reportedly held several meetings with the player and his family in both Morocco and Spain as they sought to present their long-term vision for the national team.

However, those efforts ultimately proved unsuccessful, with Yamal opting to continue his international journey with Spain.

Lekjaa Explains Why Morocco Missed Out
In an interview with Marca in 2024, Lekjaa explained the federation’s approach to recruiting the talented winger.

“We met with his parents (his father is Moroccan and his mother is from Equatorial Guinea)… We presented our project to him and his family, but Lamine had already been convinced to go to Spain, and we wished him success in his work. Spain and Morocco are only 14 kilometers apart, and it is normal for such things to happen.”

Lekjaa also stressed that Morocco had outlined its footballing project and ambitions to the player, adding that the federation fully respected his final decision.

World Cup Dream Remains Alive
With Morocco earning widespread praise for their performance against Brazil in their opening World Cup match, confidence around the Atlas Lions continues to grow. While a Morocco versus Spain final remains a distant prospect, Lekjaa’s comments underline the belief that the North African side can once again compete with the world’s best on football’s biggest stage.