Stuttgart Sign Morocco’s Bilal El Khannouss on Loan from Leicester Until 2026

France’s Olympique Marseille officially announced on Tuesday morning the signing of Moroccan international defender Nayef Aguerd from West Ham (England), without specifying the length of his contract or the transfer fee.

“Olympique Marseille is delighted to announce the arrival of Moroccan international center-back Nayef Aguerd from West Ham,” the Ligue 1 club said on its website, highlighting the remarkable career of the player who trained at the “Mohammed VI Academy, a breeding ground for Moroccan football in full growth.”

After starting his career at Fath Union Sport (FUS) in Rabat, Aguerd joined France’s Dijon in 2018, then Rennes in 2020, where he discovered the Europa League and established himself as one of the best defenders in Ligue 1, OM continues.

The 29-year-old Moroccan international then moved to the Premier League in 2022 with West Ham, winning the Europa League. Last season, he played on loan at Real Sociedad, playing 36 matches for the Basque club.

Originally from Kenitra, the new OM defender has 55 caps for the Atlas Lions. He was one of the key elements of Morocco’s historic run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, crowned by an unprecedented qualification for the semi-finals.

Moroccan international Bilal El Khannouss has been loaned to VfB Stuttgart by Leicester City, currently playing in England’s second division, until the end of the 2025/26 season, the German club announced Monday in a statement.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder, who has made 32 Premier League appearances and 61 in Belgium’s top flight, will wear the number 11 jersey at Stuttgart’s MHP Arena, the same source noted.

“My first impressions are very positive,” El Khannouss said in the statement. “I’m looking forward to what the future holds. I can’t wait to get started and get to know my teammates better,” he added.

For his part, VfB sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth welcomed “having reached an agreement for Bilal El Khannouss,” describing him as “a young player with tremendous potential, able to play centrally but also on the wings.”

“He’s an excellent dribbler, quick, and has passing qualities that will enrich our attacking options. His international experience, gained in European leagues and with the Moroccan national team, makes him a real asset for our squad. We warmly welcome him to VfB Stuttgart,” he said.

El Khannouss joined Leicester City in the summer of 2024, when the club was still in the Premier League, scoring two goals and providing three assists in 32 league matches with the Foxes.

His Moroccan national teammate, Eliesse Ben Seghir, signed Sunday with another Bundesliga side, Bayer Leverkusen, from AS Monaco. The young Atlas Lion has been recruited by the German club on a five-year deal running until 2030.

National team coach Walid Regragui has called up 27 players to take part in the match between the Moroccan and Nigerien national teams, scheduled for September 5 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat. This match is part of the 7th round (Group E) of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

The list of the 27 selected players was announced by the coach during a press conference held Thursday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé.

Here is the list of the called-up players:
 

Goalkeepers:

Mounir El Kajoui (Renaissance Berkane), Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal/Saudi Arabia), Mehdi Lahrar (Raja Casablanca).
 

Defenders:

Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Omar El Hilali (RCD Espanyol/Spain), Souffian El Karouani (FC Utrecht/Netherlands), Nayef Aguerd (West Ham United/England), Achraf Dari (Al Ahly/Egypt), Adam Masina (Torino/Italy), Jawad El Yamiq (Al-Najma/Saudi Arabia), Mohamed Chibi (Pyramids/Egypt), Youssef Belammari (Raja Casablanca).
 

Midfielders:

Azzeddine Ounahi (Olympique de Marseille/France), Bilal El Khannous (Leicester City/England), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands), Oussama El Azzouzi (AJ Auxerre/France), Sofyan Amrabat (Fenerbahce/Turkey), Neil El Ainaoui (AS Roma/Italy), Eliesse Ben Seghir (AS Monaco/France).
 

Forwards:

Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid), Chemsddine Talbi (Sunderland/England), Youssef En-Nesyri (Fenerbahce/Turkiye), Hamza Igamane (Glasgow Rangers/Scotland), Maroan Sannadi (Athletic Bilbao/Spain), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiakos/Greece), Amine Adli (Bournemouth/England), Ilias Akhomach (Villarreal/Spain).

The match between Morocco and Niger, scheduled for September 5 at 8:00 p.m. at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, has been declared sold out, the organizing committee announced. The game is part of the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“The Organizing Committee of the Morocco-Niger official match announces that all tickets for this encounter have been sold,” the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said Wednesday on its website.

“As a result, the match will be played to a full house and no additional tickets will be put on sale,” the same source added.

The organizing committee expressed “its deep gratitude to the passionate supporters for their responsiveness and unwavering support for the national team” during this qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Atlas Lions are hoping to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row, and the seventh in their history.

The organizing committee also reminded all supporters of “the importance of adhering to the organizational measures in anticipation of future major continental and international competitions to be hosted in Morocco.”

National coach Walid Regragui will hold a press conference on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the Auditorium of the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé.

During this conference, the national coach will announce the list of players called up to take part in the national team’s next two matches, against Niger and Zambia.

The Moroccan national team currently leads Group E with 15 points from 5 wins, ahead of Tanzania (2nd/9 pts) and Zambia (3rd/6 pts). Niger ranks fourth with 6 points.

Nine African teams are guaranteed a spot in the final phase of the World Cup, while one more will take part in the FIFA playoff tournament.

 Moroccan football players Achraf Hakimi and Yassine Bounou were named as pat of Team of the Tournament from FIFA Club World Cup, which ended on Sunday, according to the world football authority.

Paris Saint-Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi scored two goals and provided two assists at this tournament, held in the USA with 32 teams taking part for the first time.

In Sunday evening’s final, PSG lost to Chelsea 3-0. 

For his part, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou led his Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal to the quarter-finals, before losing to Brazil’s Fluminense (2-1).

In addition to the two Moroccan internationals, the XI includes PSG’s Marquinhos and Vitinha, plus Blues’ Marc Cucurella, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer.

Fluminense’s Thiago Silva and Jhon Arias, in addition to Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Garcia, rounds up the squad.

Morocco’s Government Council on Thursday approved a bill to establish the “Morocco 2030 Foundation,” a new body tasked with overseeing preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the Kingdom is co-hosting.

Bill No. 35.25, presented by Minister Delegate for the Budget Fouzi Lekjaa, forms part of the implementation of directives issued by HM King Mohammed VI during the Council of Ministers held on December 4, 2024.

Speaking at a press briefing after the weekly cabinet meeting, Government Spokesperson Mustapha Baitas said the Foundation will coordinate and monitor development projects linked to the 2030 World Cup and ensure Morocco meets its commitments under the tournament’s specifications.

Baitas added that the initiative aligns with HM the King’s vision of sport as a tool for sustainable and inclusive development, as well as a driver of youth integration and territorial development.

He noted that hosting the 2030 World Cup—alongside other major events such as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations—reinforces Morocco’s status as a hub for international events and a meeting point of civilizations.

The Morocco 2030 Foundation will adopt a participatory approach involving government bodies, public institutions, local authorities, civil society, the private sector, the Moroccan diaspora, and the broader football community, including African partners, Baitas said.