Younes Ebnoutalib set for Germany call-up after Morocco World Cup omission

Younes Ebnoutalib is expected to receive his first Germany call-up, despite having previously signalled his interest in representing Morocco.

The 23-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt striker has made an impressive start to the season, scoring four goals and providing two assists in four matches. His form has reportedly persuaded Germany boss Jurgen Klopp to include him in the squad for the upcoming international break.

The possible selection was reported by Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany. Unless there is a late change of plan, Klopp is set to call up the 1.91m centre-forward.

A Germany appearance would represent a significant shift in Ebnoutalib’s international prospects and could leave Morocco regretting its decision not to select him for the 2026 World Cup.

Ebnoutalib, who has a Moroccan father and a German mother, made a notable gesture towards Morocco in early February, shortly after the country’s frustrating defeat in the CAN 2025 final. Having previously represented Morocco at under-15 level, he posted a photograph of his new boots, which carried the Moroccan flag.

However, Mohamed Ouahbi, who took charge of the Atlas Lions at the start of March, did not include the forward in his squad for the 2026 World Cup. Instead, he opted for Ebnoutalib’s Eintracht Frankfurt team-mate Ayoube Amaimouni, who is 21 and has four international caps.

Ebnoutalib expressed his disappointment at the end of July, while making clear that Germany remained an option.

“Playing for the national team is clearly an objective. I am open to representing Morocco or Germany. I was a little disappointed not to have been selected by Morocco for the World Cup,” he said.

Since then, his performances have increased Germany’s interest. Klopp held lengthy discussions with the striker as he sought to convince him to join the national team. The Germany manager has reportedly been impressed by Ebnoutalib’s physical qualities, including his strength with his back to goal and his ability in the air.

Ouahbi also travelled to watch the forward in the Bundesliga. In recent days, Ebnoutalib had been tipped as one of the new names who could feature in Morocco’s squad for the two CAN 2027 qualifying matches against Gabon and Lesotho on 25 and 29 September.

That possibility now appears to have been overtaken by Germany’s approach, with Ebnoutalib seemingly close to committing his international future to the Mannschaft.