Who is Issa Diop? Morocco centre-back scores equaliser vs Netherlands in FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32
Diop scored his first World Cup goal for Morocco.
As Morocco searched for an equaliser with the clock ticking, centre-back Issa Diop rose to the occasion. He gave a much-needed lifeline to Morocco in an intense fixture against the Netherlands in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32.
It appeared that Morocco were heading towards elimination before the Fulham centre-back decided to keep the Atlas Lions’ hopes alive with an impressive goal.
It was a sight of relief for Morocco, who were almost eliminated after Cody Gakpo gave the Dutch a breakthrough in the game.
In the 91st minute of the contest, a fantastic cross was fired into the box and met Diop. The Moroccan centre-back was able to overpower Virgil van Dijk, hitting a stunning header to tie the game.
Issa Diop profile
Club: Fulham
Position: Centre-back
Age: 29
The centre-back is presently a Premier League player for Fulham, having joined the club in 2022.
Before that, he played for West Ham United and has been a regular in England’s top division since beginning his career at Toulouse.
Issa Diop launched his career with his hometown club Toulouse, making his senior debut in the 2015-16 season. He became the team’s captain in 2017, before moving to English club West Ham United in 2018.
Issa Diop has been a youth international for France at all levels, making his debut for France U16 in 2013. He played for the side that won the 2016 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, scoring in the final. He also scored a goal in that final.
He is eligible to play for Morocco via his mother and Senegal via his father. In October 2018, he reaffirmed his national allegiance to France.
On March 19, 2026, it was reported that Issa Diop had been picked for the Morocco national team for the first time. Seven days later, FIFA authorised his desire to switch nationality to Morocco.
At 29, he is one of the more experienced Moroccan players.
Which club does Issa Diop play for?
He plays for Fulham.
Which position does he play in?
He plays as a centre-back.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.