On the eve of the Round of 16 match in the 2026 World Cup between the Netherlands and Morocco, Ibrahim Afellay clarified his position. The former Dutch international, born in Utrecht to a Moroccan family, acknowledged that his heart leaned towards the Atlas Lions for this particular match.
When asked in the Dutch show De WK-Avond about his support ahead of this clash, the former midfielder of PSV Eindhoven, FC Barcelona, and the Oranje responded candidly. “For this match in particular, my heart is with Morocco,” he stated, recalling his Moroccan roots and the family ties that connect him to the Kingdom.
Afellay, who has 53 caps for the Netherlands, emphasized his respect for the country where he was born, grew up, and built a significant part of his career. His choice for this match does not reflect a rejection of the Oranje, but rather the expression of a dual attachment, shared by many players and former players from the Moroccan diaspora.
This statement comes just days after his more critical remarks about the Atlas Lions’ gameplay. As a consultant for NOS, Afellay had suggested that the Netherlands had no reason to lose sleep before facing Morocco, particularly pointing out some ball losses observed during Morocco’s victory against Haiti.
His open support for Morocco does not contradict his sports analysis. He clearly distinguishes his role as a consultant, sometimes demanding of the Atlas Lions, from his personal attachment to his roots. As the highly anticipated Netherlands – Morocco match approaches, his comments add an additional emotional dimension to a game already rich in history and symbolism.
