Zamalek’s Mahmoud Bentayg considering Egypt switch after Morocco omission

Mahmoud Bentayg is considering representing Egypt instead of Morocco after Egyptian officials suggested he could apply for citizenship, according to Youssef Mosaad, an assistant to the Zamalek defender’s agent.

The left-back was not included in Morocco’s squad for the upcoming international break, despite making a strong start to the season with the Egyptian club.

“I could not understand Bentayg’s exclusion from the latest Morocco squad,” Mosaad told Moroccan newspaper Al3omk. “He has won the Egyptian league’s monthly Player of the Month award twice and has made an impressive start to the season with Zamalek.”

Mosaad said the player had been approached about changing his international allegiance.

“Some Egyptian officials suggested that Bentayg obtain Egyptian citizenship and represent the national team,” he added. “The player is considering the matter, although his priority had been to wear the Morocco shirt.”

Bentayg has previously represented Morocco at local level, playing for the Moroccan local team at the Arab Cup 2025. However, he has not been selected for the senior squad for the next international window.

Mosaad said Bentayg’s omission reflected a longer-term lack of recognition from Morocco’s national-team set-up.

“All I can say is that Bentayg has been a victim of being overlooked by the national team for years, whether during the time of Walid Regragui or Mohamed Ouahbi,” he said.

“I also believe the squad that has been selected raises many questions.”

Bentayg’s recent performances for Zamalek have included a decisive contribution in their Egyptian league victory over Ghazl El Mahalla.

He was named Player of the Match after winning a penalty, which was converted by Ahmed Sherif. Zamalek went on to secure a 1-0 victory in the fifth round of the Egyptian league.

The result added to a promising opening to the campaign for Bentayg, who has twice been recognised as the league’s best player for a month. Despite that form, he was left out of Morocco’s latest selection, prompting the possibility of a future move towards representing Egypt.

For now, Mosaad said the defender was weighing the proposal, even though playing for Morocco had previously been his preferred option.