Schalke's El-Faouzi Aims for Future with Morocco

In the wake of the World Cup, Schalke 04 midfielder Soufiane El-Faouzi has shifted his focus towards representing Morocco on the international stage, after missing out on the national team's roster for the tournament. Despite being considered a potential candidate before the final selections were made by German coach Jürgen Klopp, El-Faouzi was ultimately overlooked for inclusion in the squad. Following a goalless draw against Elversberg, El-Faouzi spoke to the media about his exclusion and the implications it holds for his career.

Reflecting on the situation, El-Faouzi mentioned, "I didn’t hear much about it," indicating that he had little communication regarding his status with the national team. Reports suggest that the German Football Association had inquired about the 24-year-old's willingness to participate, however, El-Faouzi confirmed he had not been in direct contact with Klopp himself. When asked if he would have liked to play for Germany, he opted not to answer directly, hinting instead at his commitment to his home country of Morocco.

El-Faouzi is now preparing to join the Moroccan national team once more, having previously been a part of their provisional World Cup squad but failing to make the final cut. Notably, the midfielder has yet to make an official appearance for Morocco, a situation he aims to rectify soon. El-Faouzi stated, "It’s about something significant," emphasizing the importance of his upcoming matches.

Morocco is set to compete in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Gabon on September 25 and Lesotho on September 29. The tournament is scheduled to take place in 2027 across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. "I’m eager to make appearances and contribute to the team," El-Faouzi asserted, showcasing his determination and enthusiasm for the national team.

So far, El-Faouzi has a single international match under his belt, having participated for 45 minutes in a 5-0 victory during a friendly against Burundi on May 26. He fondly recalled his experience with the national squad, describing it as, "Super facility, super guys, and it’s a lot of fun." This positive outlook reflects his readiness to embrace future challenges and opportunities with Morocco.

As reported by ruhr24.de.