Zakaria El Ouahdi, a 24-year-old player born in Belgium, has made a remarkable transition from futsal to football, earning a call-up to Morocco's national team for the 2026 season. El Ouahdi, who previously played futsal for Belgium's national team, switched to football and now plays as a defender for Genk in the Belgian Pro League.
According to reports, El Ouahdi's performances for Genk caught the attention of Morocco's coaching staff, leading to his selection for the Atlas Lions. He is eligible to represent Morocco through his heritage and has accepted the call-up, aiming to contribute to the team's upcoming matches.
El Ouahdi's journey is notable for his unique path from futsal, where he developed technical skills, to professional football. He has been praised for his versatility and adaptability, which have helped him integrate into Morocco's squad.
