Why does Oussama Assaidi play for Morocco?
Born in Beni Boughafer, Morocco · Citizenship: Kingdom of the Netherlands, Morocco
Short answer
Oussama Assaidi plays for Morocco because he holds Moroccan nationality and chose to represent the country at senior level (first senior call-up on record: 2011).
Birthplace and citizenship
Oussama Assaidi was born in Morocco; holds Kingdom of the Netherlands and Morocco citizenship.
International career path
His international pathway, as recorded on Wikidata:
He only played youth football for Netherlands U20. Youth caps do not tie a player to a country, so he was free to choose Morocco for senior football.
- Netherlands U20 — under-20 level, 2009 (1 match, 0 goals)
- Morocco — senior level, 2011–2015 (17 matches, 2 goals)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Oussama Assaidi play for Morocco?
Oussama Assaidi holds Moroccan nationality and chose to represent Morocco at senior level.
Where was Oussama Assaidi born?
Oussama Assaidi was born in Beni Boughafer, Morocco.
What nationality is Oussama Assaidi?
Wikidata lists Oussama Assaidi as a citizen of Kingdom of the Netherlands and Morocco.