Why does Kautar Azraf play for Morocco?

Born in Manresa, Spain · Citizenship: Morocco, Spain

Short answer

Kautar Azraf represents Morocco even though she was born in Spain. FIFA rules allow a player to represent any country whose nationality she holds, provided she has a family or residency connection to it; she committed to Morocco at senior level.

Birthplace and citizenship

Kautar Azraf was born in Manresa, Spain; holds Morocco and Spain citizenship.

Being born in Spain normally gives a player the right to represent Spain too, if she holds that nationality. Representing Morocco instead usually means a parent or grandparent was born there, or that the player lived there long enough to qualify through residency. Public records do not state which connection applied to Kautar Azraf, so we do not guess.

International career path

Her international pathway, as recorded on Wikidata:

  • Morocco U17 (women) — women's under-17 level, dates unknown
  • Morocco U20 (women) — women's under-20 level, dates unknown
  • Morocco (women) — senior women's level, dates unknown

The rules in brief

A player can represent a country if they hold its nationality and have a genuine link to it: birth on its territory, a parent or grandparent born there, or several years of residency. Youth matches do not tie a player to a country. Since 2020, FIFA also lets a player switch once after a small number of senior appearances (no more than three, all before turning 21, none at a World Cup or continental finals) after a three-year wait.

Read our full guide to FIFA eligibility rules →

Frequently asked questions

Why does Kautar Azraf play for Morocco?

Kautar Azraf holds Moroccan nationality and chose to represent Morocco at senior level despite being born in Spain.

Where was Kautar Azraf born?

Kautar Azraf was born in Manresa, Spain.

What nationality is Kautar Azraf?

Wikidata lists Kautar Azraf as a citizen of Morocco and Spain.

Could Kautar Azraf have played for Spain?

Probably, if she holds Spain nationality, as players born in a country are eligible for it. Once a player has played a competitive senior match for one country, switching is only possible under narrow FIFA exceptions.

Other Spain-born players who chose Morocco

All Spain-born Morocco players →