A phrase often repeated by those who memorize it, but not without scrutiny among those who understand. It is said that developing a national team requires encouraging players to play abroad. This is an empty and inaccurate claim.

Let me give you a vivid example of this important issue to prove the point with conclusive evidence: the Moroccan national team, which stands as the most prominent model of Arab and global sporting success alike.

Moroccan players have been professionals abroad since the 1990s, but they reached the firm conviction that this alone would not take them far. Therefore, serious work began in 2009 with clear government support, through the establishment of academies, development of national coaches, refinement of talent, and building on solid scientific foundations. It was a long-term plan requiring patience and perseverance, rather than hasty and destructive shortcuts.

And the result? At the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Morocco reached the semi-finals and finished fourth—an achievement no Arab team had ever accomplished before, once considered a distant dream. They built their success from the ground up, not from the top. And the current 2026 World Cup is merely another confirmation of the dominance of the 'Atlas Lions.'

They embarrassed the Brazilian national team in the group stage with a positive draw and were closer to winning, then advanced to the Round of 32, defeating the Netherlands—one of the top title contenders—on penalties. The Moroccans continue their World Cup brilliance, proving that what happened in 2022 was neither coincidence nor luck, but the fruit of a well-thought-out institutional effort.

If playing abroad were the ultimate solution, the Egyptian and Algerian national teams would have reaped greater benefits, as their players had been playing in Europe's top clubs years before Morocco. However, numerous examples show that this did not have the desired impact on their teams, especially at the World Cup.

In conclusion:

Playing abroad is a personal choice that concerns only the players. True professional development begins with youth, specifically in academies and age-group categories within clubs. There we lay the foundation, and there we plant the seeds of the future.