Visa uncertainty leaves Morocco star El Ouahdi stranded

Moroccan international Zakaria El Ouahdi

RABAT, June 4: Moroccan international Zakaria El Ouahdi was unable to travel with the Atlas Lions delegation to the United States after being removed from the plane just minutes before its departure.

Videos circulated on social media showing the 24-year-old Moroccan star being escorted off the aircraft that was carrying the Morocco national team to the US.

According to the English edition of Moroccan news outlet Hespress, the player did not leave with the team delegation, raising questions amid the lack of an official explanation for his absence.

The report added that conflicting accounts have emerged regarding the exact reason behind his sudden withdrawal. While some sources denied that the issue was related to a visa, El Ouahdi had already boarded the aircraft before disembarking shortly before takeoff.

Hespress further reported that other sources claimed the player was unable to travel due to a problem obtaining a US entry visa, and that high-level efforts are currently underway to resolve the issue.

Other Moroccan media reports also noted that El Ouahdi had previously been denied a US visa on two separate occasions.