A Netherlands international is now reportedly set to represent an African nation at the FIFA World Cup after being snubbed by the European country ahead of the tournament.
Just weeks remain before the grand showpiece in Qatar gets underway, and the likes of Mexico, Spain, and the Netherlands have already confirmed their preliminary squads, with their final teams set to be announced in the coming few weeks.
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However, former Aston Villa star Anwar El Ghazi was not included in the 55-man provisional squad named for the Dutch national team, a decision that is believed to have prompted the player to look elsewhere in order to secure a ticket to the prized competition in the Middle East.
According to Complete Sports, the PSV Eindhoven attacker is now working on switching his allegiance in order to represent his country of descent, Morocco, at the global showpiece later this month.
It is said the player – who made two appearances for the Oranje, the last of which came in 2015 – and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation are already working on the paperwork, with Atlas Lions boss Walid Regragui set to confirm his official 26-man squad by 13 November, seven days before the tournament's opening fixture.
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The former Everton star, who has dual citizenship, has previously claimed that his initial decision to represent the Netherlands in 2015 came after he received advice from Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
"I have thought about it for a long time. My parents, my family, my personal trainer and also Cristiano Ronaldo have advised me. I have included everything in my choice," El Ghazi told then-club Ajax's official website in 2015, according to Sports Mole.
"It came up with Ronaldo. He asked how I stood on the Netherlands. He said if he were me, he would opt for the Netherlands. He said I had to decide it myself and that people always have an opinion.
"Choose Netherlands and Moroccans will say I'm not a real Moroccan, opt for Morocco then the Dutch say, 'Hey, you're born and raised here, what the hell is that?'
"I'm going to do my best. I'm going to give everything for the country because I was born and raised here."
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The winger has scored five goals and provided a further two assists in 11 matches across all competitions for PSV so far this season.
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