Barca Loanee Denied Chance To Play For Morocco At WC By FIFA

An FC Barcelona loanee has had his hopes of playing for Morocco at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia dashed by football governing body, FIFA.

Click through the gallery above to see five footballers who switched their allegiances to African nations at senior national level.

On-loan Deportivo Alaves forward Munir El Haddadi and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation put in a request for the Blaugrana frontman to change allegiances from Spain to the country of his father's birth.

Unfortunately, the 22-year-old, who played for La Furia Roja at youth level, made an appearance for the senior side during a EURO 2016 qualifier, and according to FIFA rules, any player who has appeared in an official competition for one national team is forbidden from appearing in an international game for another country.

"The request made by the Football Federation of Morocco and the player Munir El Haddadi for a change of Association was rejected by the Bureau of the Players' Status Committee," a FIFA spokesperson told ESPN.

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The Atlas Lions have qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998, and will face Spain, Portugal and Iran in Group B.

Do you think being unable to register El Haddadi as a player is a big blow for the African nation? Have your say in the comments section below.