Souffian El Karouani: Utrecht defender eyes return to Morocco squad

FC Utrecht defender Souffian El Karouani has expressed the belief that he deserves to rejoin the Moroccan national team during the next international break after being snubbed by snubbed by former coach Walid Regragui.

The 25-year-old full-back clarified, however, that he has not yet been contacted by the new national team coach, Mohamed Ouahbi.

In statements given to ESPN, El Karouani affirmed his ambition to once again wear the Atlas Lions jersey, as the Moroccan national team is scheduled to play two friendly matches against Ecuador and Paraguay at the end of March.

El Karouani has played five times for Morocco

The Utrecht player also commented on the end of former coach Walid Regragui’s tenure. “I heard a lot about it, and finally it was officially confirmed,” he said.

Regarding the arrival of the new national team coach, the Moroccan defender expressed optimism: “I think the new coach will be a good choice and that he will do a good job.”

When asked about his chances of being called up for the next training camp, El Karouani displayed his confidence: “Personally, I think I should be there. But ultimately, it’s the coach who makes the decision. For my part, I simply have to continue showing my level every week.”

The left-back finally revealed that no discussions had yet taken place with Mohamed El Ouahbi: “We’ll have to wait to find out if I’ll be on the list. But it would be a surprise to me if I weren’t.”

As the Moroccan national team prepares for a new cycle under the leadership of Mohamed El Ouahbi, several players hope to take advantage of this transition period to revive their careers or earn their place in the Atlas Lions squad.

El Karouani has played five matches for the Atlas Lions who lost the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals 1-0 to Senegal at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in January.

The 25-year-old has played 25 times this season with two goals and ten assists registered for Untrect in the Dutch Eredivisie.

FC Utrecht defender Souffian El Karouani believes he deserves another opportunity with the Moroccan national team during the next international break after previously being overlooked by former head coach Walid Regragui.

The 25-year-old left-back has been performing consistently at club level and feels his recent form should earn him another chance to represent the Atlas Lions. However, El Karouani admitted that he has not yet received any contact from the new Moroccan national team coach, Mohamed Ouahbi.

Speaking in an interview with ESPN, the Utrecht defender reiterated his ambition to once again wear the Moroccan national team jersey. Morocco are scheduled to play two friendly matches against Ecuador and Paraguay at the end of March, and several players are hoping to impress the new coaching staff ahead of those fixtures.

For El Karouani, returning to the national team remains a major personal objective. The defender believes his performances in the Dutch Eredivisie demonstrate that he is ready to contribute again at international level.

Confidence in a national team return

El Karouani has previously earned five caps for Morocco and remains hopeful that he can add to that number in the near future. Despite not being called up recently, he has continued to focus on improving his performances with FC Utrecht.

The Moroccan defender also shared his thoughts on the departure of former coach Walid Regragui, whose tenure with the national team recently came to an end.

“I heard a lot about it, and finally it was officially confirmed,” El Karouani said when discussing the coaching change.

The appointment of Mohamed Ouahbi as the new national team coach has created a fresh opportunity for players hoping to re-establish themselves in the squad. El Karouani expressed optimism about the new direction the team could take under Ouahbi.

“I think the new coach will be a good choice and that he will do a good job,” he added.

Determined to prove himself

When asked about his chances of being included in the upcoming training camp, El Karouani spoke confidently about his form while acknowledging that the final decision remains in the hands of the national team coach.

“Personally, I think I should be there. But ultimately, it’s the coach who makes the decision,” he explained.

“For my part, I simply have to continue showing my level every week.”

The left-back also revealed that he has not yet had any discussions with Ouahbi regarding a potential recall.

“We’ll have to wait to find out if I’ll be on the list. But it would be a surprise to me if I weren’t,” he said.

Strong performances for Utrecht

El Karouani’s confidence largely stems from his strong performances with FC Utrecht this season. The defender has been one of the standout players for the Dutch club, contributing both defensively and offensively from the left side of the pitch.

During the current campaign, El Karouani has made 25 appearances in the Eredivisie, scoring two goals and providing ten assists. His ability to contribute in attack while maintaining defensive solidity has made him an important player for Utrecht.

Such statistics highlight his development and consistency, which he hopes will catch the attention of the Moroccan national team selectors.

Morocco entering a new cycle

As Morocco prepares for a new chapter under Mohamed Ouahbi, several players are hoping to take advantage of the transition period to secure their place in the national squad.

The Atlas Lions are looking to rebuild and strengthen the team following their defeat in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, where they lost 1-0 to Senegal at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

For players like El Karouani, the upcoming friendly matches could represent an important opportunity to impress the new coaching staff and stake a claim for a regular place in the squad.

With his strong club performances and determination to return to the international stage, the Utrecht defender will be hoping that his efforts are rewarded with another call-up to represent Morocco in the near future.