The continued absence of Hakim Ziyech from the Morocco national football team has become one of the most debated issues in Moroccan football, with growing speculation surrounding the reasons behind his exclusion ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Despite strong performances for Wydad Athletic Club this season, the Moroccan international remains outside the plans of the national team coaching staff led by Mohamed Wahbi.
The situation has fuelled widespread discussion among supporters and analysts, particularly as Ziyech’s absence from the World Cup now appears increasingly likely.
Questions have intensified over why the former Morocco star has not even been included in evaluation camps designed to assess the physical and technical condition of players ahead of the tournament.
Critics have pointed out that several less prominent players were given opportunities during recent camps while Ziyech remained excluded.
The debate has expanded beyond purely football matters, with some observers questioning whether the reasons behind his omission are entirely technical.
Ziyech played a key role in Morocco’s historic run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where the Atlas Lions became the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
However, since then, uncertainty has surrounded his relationship with officials connected to Moroccan football.
Several reports and analyses linked the controversy to a social media post previously published by the player concerning the Palestinian issue and the conflict in Gaza.
According to the reports, Ziyech criticised the positions of some Arab countries as well as officials in his own country before later deleting the post.
Observers believe the incident may have contributed to tensions between the player and certain figures within Moroccan football circles.
Since that episode, Ziyech has remained absent from Morocco’s squad selections, while official explanations have repeatedly focused on matters related to physical fitness and readiness.
At the same time, Moroccan football authorities have continued to insist publicly that the national team remains open to any player capable of meeting the required standards.
Yet the player’s recent performances at club level have added further weight to the debate.
Ziyech has enjoyed an impressive campaign with Wydad Athletic Club, making nine appearances in which he scored seven goals and provided two assists.
His contributions have reinforced the view among many supporters that the 33-year-old still possesses the technical quality required to compete at the highest level.
One of the strongest statements came during Wydad’s 3-2 victory over Hassania Agadir, when Ziyech scored a hat-trick.
The performance was widely interpreted by fans as a direct response to doubts surrounding his place in the national team setup.
For many observers, the statistics and performances produced by Ziyech this season weaken arguments suggesting his exclusion is solely linked to competitive or fitness-related concerns.
Instead, some analysts now believe the issue may involve decisions taken behind the scenes within the Moroccan Football Federation rather than matters directly related to performances on the pitch.
That perception has increased criticism aimed at officials overseeing the national team, particularly as Morocco prepares for another World Cup campaign carrying high expectations after the success achieved in Qatar four years ago.
With no official clarification offered beyond technical explanations, debate surrounding Ziyech’s future with the national team is expected to continue.
As preparations for the 2026 World Cup move forward, the continued omission of one of Morocco’s most recognisable football figures remains a sensitive and controversial subject within the country’s sporting landscape.
