AZ's Oufkir opts for Morocco after Netherlands youth caps

AZ defender Ayoub Oufkir has accepted a call-up to the Moroccan national team. The 20-year-old player, who recently played 90 minutes for the Netherlands Under-21s, has now opted to represent his country of birth. His decision comes as the senior Netherlands team is on an unbeaten run of four matches, with two wins and two draws.

AZ coach Leeroy Echteld confirmed the call-up and the switch of nationality. "The call-up is a setback for Michael Reiziger, the coach of Jong Oranje," Echteld said. The change is not yet officially confirmed by world governing body FIFA.

Oufkir played three matches for the Netherlands Under-21s during the previous international break, including a full 90 minutes in a qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He progressed through the Dutch youth system and was part of the Netherlands Under-19 side that won the European Championship in 2025. For Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi, it is the first time he has called up a player based in Rotterdam.

Oufkir's decision comes at a key time for the Dutch Under-21s. The team faces a key European Championship qualification play-off against Denmark later this month. Oufkir will instead focus on two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Niger.

Alongside Oufkir, Ouahbi also called up other Eredivisie players: Feyenoord's Oussama Targhalline and Ajax's Abdellah Ouazane. Internationals such as Noussair Mazraoui, Anass Salah-Eddine and Souffian El Karouani are also eligible. Former PSV player Ismael Saibari is unavailable due to injury, while Ajax midfielder Sofyan Amrabat has declined to play under coach Ouahbi.

The Netherlands senior team is now preparing for its next fixture. A home match against Greece is scheduled for Saturday 13 November. The team is unbeaten in its last four outings, with a sequence of two wins and two draws. The most recent victory was a 2-1 win over Serbia on Sunday 4 October, with goals from Teun Koopmeiners and Joshua Zirkzee. In the 2-2 draw with Greece on Thursday 1 October, Virgil van Dijk and Tijjani Reijnders were on the scoresheet.