PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Zakaria El Ouahdi |
| Date of Birth | 31/12/2001 (Age: 24) |
| Place of Birth | Belgium |
| Nationality | Moroccan |
| Height | 1.71 m / 5 ft 7 in |
| Weight | 68 kg |
| Position | Right-Back |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #13 |
| Current Club | KRC Genk |
| Previous Clubs | RWDM |
| International Caps | 6+ |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Nicknames | “The Flying Full-Back” |
The Frozen Moment
The text message changed everything. Zakaria El Ouahdi, the 24-year-old right-back from Genk, had been waiting for this call his entire career. After helping Morocco’s U23 side reach the 2024 Olympic Games and winning the U23 Africa Cup of Nations, the senior call-up had finally arrived.
“It’s a childhood dream come true,” he said. “The whole world is watching us. To experience something like that is fantastic.”
When the 2026 World Cup squad was announced, El Ouahdi’s name was on the list. He was one of the revelations of the season with Genk, recording 12 goals and five assists in 41 appearances across all competitions. He had won the prestigious Ebony Shoe award as the best player of African descent in the Belgian Pro League. Now, he was heading to North America to represent the nation that had never been a doubt in his mind.
Origins: The Belgian-Moroccan Who Never Hesitated
Zakaria El Ouahdi was born on December 31, 2001, in Belgium to Moroccan parents. His football journey began in the Belgian youth system, but his heart was always with Morocco.
The Belgian Football Federation approached him, hoping to secure his allegiance. But for El Ouahdi, the choice was simple. “I certainly didn’t have to think twice about it. Morocco was simply my priority,” he told Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws. “It was a thoughtful decision, but one driven by my heart as well.”
His commitment to Morocco was reinforced by his experiences with the national team setup. “I played for Morocco at the Paris Olympic Games and at the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations. The atmosphere and the facilities were exceptional. It really felt like they were saying: choose us.”
The European Forge: From RWDM to Genk Star
El Ouahdi’s professional career began at RWDM in Belgium. In the 2022-23 season, he made 25 appearances in the First Division B, scoring 7 goals and providing 4 assists. His performances caught the attention of KRC Genk, and in September 2023, he made the move to the Belgian giants.
His transition to the Pro League was seamless. In his first season at Genk, he made 23 appearances, providing 4 assists. The 2024-25 season was his breakthrough: 36 appearances, 6 goals, and 2 assists.
The 2025-26 season was his masterpiece. He made 34 Pro League appearances, scoring 8 goals and providing 4 assists. In the Europa League, he added 4 goals and 1 assist in 9 appearances. Across all competitions, he recorded 12 goals and 5 assists in 41 appearances.
His performances earned him the Ebony Shoe award for 2026, following in the footsteps of former Genk winners such as Paul Onuachu and Mike Trésor. He was also named Genk’s Player of the Year and had previously won the 2025 Belgian Lion title.
The Anatomy of His Game: The Modern Attacking Full-Back
At 5-foot-7, El Ouahdi is not the tallest defender, but his speed, work rate, and attacking instincts make him a constant threat on the right flank.
In possession
, his numbers speak for themselves. In the 2025-26 season, he scored 8 league goals and provided 4 assists. His 12 goals across all competitions are remarkable for a full-back. His goal log shows a player who consistently finds the back of the net, scoring key goals in critical matches.
Out of possession
, he is a tenacious defender. In the 2025-26 Pro League season, he played 2,991 minutes across 34 appearances, demonstrating his durability and importance to the team. His defensive contributions, while not always captured in traditional stats, are a key part of his game.
His tactical intelligence
has been praised by coaches. He has the ability to read the game, make overlapping runs, and deliver dangerous crosses into the box. His versatility allows him to play as a right-back or right wing-back, fitting into multiple tactical systems.
His weakness
has been his consistency at the highest level. He has yet to establish himself as a regular starter for Morocco, with Achraf Hakimi the undisputed number one. But he has spoken about drawing inspiration from the PSG star: “I watch him very closely. I want to reach his level.”
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro League | 34 | 2,991 | 8 | 4 | — |
| Europa League | 9 | 827 | 4 | 1 | — |
| Total | 41 | 3,818+ | 12 | 5 | — |
TABLE B: Career Stats (All Competitions)
| Season | Club | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | RWDM | 21 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | RWDM | 25 | 7 | 4 |
| 2023-24 | RWDM | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | Genk | 23 | 0 | 4 |
| 2024-25 | Genk | 36 | 6 | 2 |
| 2025-26 | Genk | 34 | 8 | 4 |
| Total | — | 180 | 29 | 16 |
TABLE C: International Career (as of 2026)
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Senior Caps | 6+ |
| Senior Goals | 0 |
| U23 Africa Cup of Nations | Winner |
| Olympic Games | 2024 Participant |
| World Cup Debut | 2026 |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Genk Move | Signed from RWDM |
| 2024 | Olympic Games | Represented Morocco U23 |
| 2025 | Belgian Lion | Award for best player of Maghreb origin |
| 2026 | Ebony Shoe | Best African player in Belgian Pro League |
| 2026 | Genk Player of the Year | Voted by fans |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Named in Morocco’s squad |
What these figures reveal is a player who has steadily improved throughout his career. He has gone from a promising talent at RWDM to one of the most dangerous attacking full-backs in the Belgian Pro League. His 12 goals and 5 assists in the 2025-26 season are exceptional numbers for a defender. His 180 career appearances and 29 goals demonstrate his consistency and attacking output.
The Present Tense
The 2026 World Cup was the culmination of El Ouahdi’s rise. He was named in Morocco’s 26-man squad for the tournament. He is part of a generation that has already achieved history, winning the U23 Africa Cup of Nations.
His journey to the World Cup has been defined by his unwavering commitment to Morocco. “I certainly didn’t have to think twice about it,” he said. Within the national team, he draws inspiration from Achraf Hakimi, whom he considers his “mentor on the pitch.”
His role in the squad is clear: he is the understudy to Hakimi, learning from one of the best right-backs in the world. He has the talent and the determination to become a regular starter for Morocco.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, El Ouahdi is known for his humility and his commitment to his Moroccan heritage. He was born in Belgium but chose Morocco, the country of his parents, and he has never regretted the decision.
His journey from the Belgian youth system to the World Cup is a testament to his hard work. He has won the Ebony Shoe, the Belgian Lion award, and Genk’s Player of the Year. He has represented Morocco at the Olympic Games and the U23 Africa Cup of Nations. Now, he is a World Cup player.
The Verdict from the Camp
Zakaria El Ouahdi, on choosing Morocco:
“I certainly didn’t have to think twice about it. Morocco was simply my priority.”
Zakaria El Ouahdi, on his World Cup dream:
“It’s a childhood dream come true. The whole world is watching us. To experience something like that is fantastic.”
Zakaria El Ouahdi, on Achraf Hakimi:
“I watch him very closely. I want to reach his level.”
Where Next?
Zakaria El Ouahdi is 24 years old and entering his prime. He has won the Ebony Shoe, been named Genk’s Player of the Year, and represented Morocco at the World Cup. He has scored 29 goals in 180 career appearances and is one of the most dangerous attacking full-backs in Belgian football.
His legacy is still being written. He is the player who chose Morocco over Belgium, who followed in the footsteps of Achraf Hakimi, who scored 12 goals from full-back in a single season. He is the flying full-back who dreams of reaching the very top. The journey from the Belgian youth system to the World Cup has been remarkable. The boy who never hesitated to choose Morocco is now a World Cup player. His best years are still ahead.
