Last Updated on September 27, 2026 by Siara Costa
Anass Zaroury is a Moroccan international footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and winger for Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer. Born on November 7, 2000, in Mechelen, Belgium, Zaroury grew up in a Moroccan household before building a professional career that has taken him through Belgium, England, France, Greece and the United States.
Family has played an important role throughout Zaroury’s journey. His father, Rachid Zaroury, supported his football ambitions from childhood and attended his matches without placing excessive pressure on him. His mother was equally important in his upbringing and helped him maintain his Moroccan culture while growing up in Belgium. Despite that close family relationship, Zaroury strongly protects his private life, meaning reliable information about his siblings and romantic relationships remains limited.
Anass Zaroury’s Wife or Girlfriend
Anass Zaroury has not publicly confirmed a wife or girlfriend through reliable recent sources.
As of now, established coverage of the Moroccan international focuses overwhelmingly on his football career rather than his romantic relationships. No official club announcement, reputable interview or dependable Moroccan sports publication reviewed for this profile identifies a current partner by name.
This absence of information is especially significant because Zaroury has personally asked the public to respect the private and family side of his life.
In January 2023, after his profile increased dramatically following Morocco’s historic World Cup run, Zaroury addressed rumors and fake social-media accounts. He explained that he wanted a clear separation between his professional status as a footballer and his private family life.
For that reason, unsupported social-media claims about a supposed girlfriend should not be presented as fact.
Is Anass Zaroury Married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Anass Zaroury is married as of now.
Older unofficial biography websites have described him as unmarried, but those websites are not strong enough to establish his current relationship status several years later.
The most accurate conclusion is therefore that Zaroury has not publicly confirmed a marriage through an authoritative source.
Does Anass Zaroury Have Children?
There is also no reliable public information confirming that Anass Zaroury has children.
Major club profiles, Moroccan national-team coverage and interviews concerning his background do not identify him as a father.
Because Zaroury deliberately protects his personal life, the absence of public information should not be interpreted as absolute proof that he has no children. It simply means that no son or daughter has been reliably confirmed publicly.
Anass Zaroury’s Parents
Anass Zaroury was born in Belgium to Moroccan parents and grew up in Mechelen within a household that remained closely connected with Morocco.
His father is publicly identified as Rachid Zaroury. His mother’s name has not been reliably disclosed, although several respected profiles provide information about her role in Anass’s childhood.
Zaroury has described both parents warmly and has credited the environment they created with helping him pursue football while maintaining his cultural identity.
Anass Zaroury’s Father: Rachid Zaroury
Anass Zaroury’s father is Rachid Zaroury.
Rachid became publicly known to Moroccan supporters during the 2022 FIFA World Cup when his son received a late call-up to replace the injured Amine Harit.
In an interview with Moroccan television, Rachid explained that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation initially contacted him regarding the documents required to complete Anass’s international switch.
Walid Regragui subsequently contacted Anass directly, and the necessary administrative process was completed rapidly so the young winger could join Morocco’s World Cup squad.
Rachid described the moment as a source of enormous happiness for himself and the entire Zaroury family.
Rachid Zaroury Supported Anass From Childhood
Rachid’s involvement in Anass’s football development began long before international football.
Zaroury has said that his father was present for his matches from the very beginning.
Rather than behaving like an overly demanding football parent, Rachid encouraged his son to enjoy the game. Anass later recalled that his father never placed unnecessary pressure on him and regularly reminded him that football should remain a pleasure rather than an obligation.
That approach became especially important as Zaroury entered increasingly demanding academy environments at a young age.
Why Anass Zaroury Wore Number 70
Zaroury’s connection with his father even influenced his shirt number.
During his earlier professional career, Anass explained that his number 70 was chosen in honor of his father because Rachid was born in 1970.
Zaroury said he wanted to continue wearing the number throughout his career as a tribute to him.
The gesture illustrates the particularly close relationship between father and son and shows how Rachid’s influence extended beyond Anass’s childhood.
What Did Anass Zaroury’s Father Do for a Living?
A detailed Moroccan profile of Zaroury reported that his father worked for a cleaning company in Belgium.
Rachid did not have the glamorous football background sometimes associated with parents of professional players. Instead, the family lived an ordinary working life while helping their son pursue an increasingly demanding academy career.
This makes his commitment to attending Anass’s matches particularly notable, especially as the young player began training away from home.
Anass Zaroury’s Mother
The name of Anass Zaroury’s mother has not been reliably established by authoritative public sources.
However, her importance in his upbringing is well documented.
Reporting about the family says she worked as a telephone operator for a Belgian cable company while Anass was growing up.
She also helped maintain the multilingual environment inside the Zaroury household.
Anass attended Dutch-language schools in Belgium, while his mother helped him with French and his father reinforced Arabic at home.
This upbringing allowed him to grow up comfortably within Belgian society while maintaining strong links with his Moroccan identity.
Anass Zaroury’s Mother and His Football Childhood
Zaroury has also remembered small details that demonstrate his mother’s role during his earliest football years.
He recalled the mozzarella sandwiches she prepared for him before he left for matches.
Although seemingly minor compared with professional contracts and international tournaments, memories like these reveal how closely family routines were connected with football during his childhood.
His mother remained important after he became an international player as well.
Anass Zaroury’s Relationship With His Mother
Zaroury has spoken publicly about the special place mothers occupy within Moroccan families.
Discussing Morocco’s 2022 World Cup campaign, during which many players celebrated with their mothers, he said those scenes reflected the importance of mothers within Moroccan culture.
He explained that when someone experiences one of the best moments of their life, their mother is often the first person they want to turn toward.
The comments offered another rare insight into Zaroury’s family values without requiring him to disclose personal information about his mother.
Anass Zaroury’s Moroccan Family Roots
Zaroury was born and raised in Belgium, but his parents are Moroccan.
Multiple Moroccan reports describe his family roots as connected with Oujda in northeastern Morocco.
Other reporting specifically describing Rachid Zaroury has associated his father with Casablanca, meaning the family appears to have connections with more than one part of Morocco.
What is firmly established is that Anass grew up strongly connected to Moroccan culture despite spending his childhood in Dutch-speaking Belgium.
That connection eventually became central to one of the most important decisions of his career.
Anass Zaroury’s Siblings
Reliable public sources do not currently identify any brothers or sisters of Anass Zaroury.
His father has referred broadly to the happiness experienced by “the whole family,” but neither he nor Anass has publicly provided a dependable list of siblings.
This means it would be inappropriate to state that Zaroury is an only child simply because siblings have not been named publicly.
As of now, the names and number of any brothers or sisters should therefore remain unconfirmed.
Why So Little Is Known About Anass Zaroury’s Family
The limited information is not accidental.
Zaroury has explicitly asked supporters and media to respect his family privacy.
Following Morocco’s World Cup success, increased attention produced fake accounts, rumors and speculation concerning his private life.
Zaroury responded publicly by emphasizing that being a professional footballer did not mean every aspect of his personal and family life should become public.
That statement is particularly important when researching his relatives, girlfriend or possible children. Information should be based on direct interviews and reputable sources rather than assumptions drawn from social-media accounts.
Anass Zaroury’s Childhood in Mechelen
Zaroury was born in Mechelen, Belgium, on November 7, 2000.
He became interested in football very early and began playing at local level with SK Heffen.
His natural dribbling ability was already evident as a young child. Zaroury later joked that coaches sometimes became frustrated because he preferred dribbling opponents instead of passing the ball.
At around ten years old, he joined KV Mechelen before taking a more demanding step in his development by entering the Jean-Marc Guillou Academy.
Leaving His Family for Football
Joining a residential academy required Zaroury to spend significant time away from his parents while still very young.
He later admitted that leaving home was difficult, although he believed it was even harder for his parents.
The experience forced him to become independent earlier than many children his age.
He lived and trained alongside young footballers from different backgrounds, sometimes spending evenings away from his immediate family.
Zaroury has said that the experience helped him mature quickly.
Anass Zaroury’s Unusual Academy Training
The Jean-Marc Guillou Academy became an important part of Zaroury’s technical development.
Players trained extensively without football boots as part of a program designed to improve their touch and control.
Zaroury later remembered spending long periods juggling the ball with different parts of his body before being allowed to progress through the academy’s technical levels.
Training barefoot during cold Belgian winters could be uncomfortable, but he credited the system with teaching him many of the technical skills that later defined his professional style.
From Belgian Youth International to Morocco
Zaroury initially represented Belgium at youth international level.
He appeared for Belgium from U-17 through U-21 level and seemed capable of eventually progressing toward the senior national team.
However, his Moroccan family identity remained strong.
Zaroury later explained that when the time came to choose his senior international future, representing Morocco was the choice he truly wanted.
That opportunity arrived dramatically in November 2022.
Rachid Zaroury and Anass’s Morocco Call-Up
Morocco originally selected Marseille midfielder Amine Harit for the 2022 World Cup, but a serious injury ruled Harit out shortly before the tournament.
Zaroury was chosen as his replacement.
The Moroccan federation first contacted Rachid concerning paperwork necessary to complete the process, while national-team coach Walid Regragui contacted Anass.
At the time, Zaroury was on holiday in Dubai and had to quickly change his plans to join the Moroccan squad.
Rachid later recalled the happiness throughout the family when they learned that Anass would represent Morocco at the World Cup.
Anass Zaroury’s Historic 2022 World Cup
Zaroury joined a Morocco squad that went on to make African and Arab football history in Qatar.
Morocco defeated Belgium, Spain and Portugal during the tournament and became the first African national team to reach a FIFA World Cup semifinal.
Zaroury appeared during the third-place match against Croatia.
Although his playing time was limited, simply joining the squad turned a childhood dream into reality and brought considerable attention to his family.
Anass Zaroury’s Club Career
Zaroury began his senior career with Lommel before joining Charleroi.
His performances in Belgium attracted Burnley, which signed him in 2022.
Working under Vincent Kompany, Zaroury became an important attacking player as Burnley won promotion to the Premier League during the 2022-23 season.
He later spent time with Hull City before joining RC Lens in France in 2024.
In 2025, Lens loaned him to Greek club Panathinaikos.
Anass Zaroury’s Panathinaikos Career
Zaroury enjoyed a productive period in Greece during the 2025-26 season.
One of his standout performances came in European competition when he scored a hat-trick against Young Boys.
Panathinaikos ultimately decided to keep him permanently.
In May 2026, the Greek club activated its purchase option from Lens and signed Zaroury to a contract through 2029.
His stay in Greece was nevertheless interrupted only a few months later when an opportunity emerged in Major League Soccer.
Anass Zaroury’s Move to Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew acquired Zaroury on loan from Panathinaikos in September 2026.
The agreement runs through the 2027 MLS Sprint Season and includes a club option to make the transfer permanent.
Columbus described Zaroury as a technical and audacious attacking player capable of adding creativity to the squad.
The transfer brought him to the United States after professional experience in Belgium, England, France and Greece.
Anass Zaroury’s Family Life Today
As of now, the best-documented member of Anass Zaroury’s family is his father, Rachid Zaroury.
Rachid supported his son throughout his youth development, attended his matches and encouraged him to treat football as something enjoyable rather than a source of pressure. Anass even chose the number 70 as a tribute to his father’s birth year.
Zaroury’s mother also played an important part in his upbringing, including maintaining French within the multilingual family home and supporting his football routine. Her name, however, has not been reliably disclosed publicly.
No brothers or sisters have been reliably identified, and there is no dependable recent confirmation of a wife, girlfriend or children.
Zaroury’s own request for privacy makes it particularly important not to fill those gaps with rumors. What he has chosen to share publicly paints a clear picture of parents who supported his football dream while helping him remain connected with his Moroccan identity throughout a childhood spent in Belgium.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anass Zaroury’s Family
Who is Anass Zaroury’s girlfriend?
Anass Zaroury has not publicly confirmed a current girlfriend through reliable sources. As of now, his romantic life remains private.
Is Anass Zaroury married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Anass Zaroury is married as of now.
Does Anass Zaroury have children?
No children have been reliably confirmed publicly. Zaroury maintains strong privacy around his personal and family life.
Who are Anass Zaroury’s parents?
His father is Rachid Zaroury. His mother has been discussed in interviews and profiles about his upbringing, but her name has not been reliably disclosed publicly.
Who is Anass Zaroury’s father?
Anass Zaroury’s father is Rachid Zaroury, a Moroccan who lives in Belgium. He supported Anass throughout his youth career and publicly discussed his son’s 2022 Morocco World Cup call-up.
What did Anass Zaroury’s father do for a living?
A detailed profile reported that Rachid worked for a cleaning company in Belgium while Anass was growing up.
Why did Anass Zaroury wear number 70?
Zaroury explained that he chose number 70 in honor of his father, who was born in 1970.
Who is Anass Zaroury’s mother?
Her name has not been reliably made public. Reporting says she worked as a telephone operator for a Belgian cable company and played an important role in Anass’s upbringing.
Does Anass Zaroury have siblings?
Reliable public sources do not currently identify any brothers or sisters. It is therefore not possible to confirm his sibling situation accurately.
Where are Anass Zaroury’s parents from?
Zaroury comes from a Moroccan family. Multiple reports connect his family roots with Oujda, while separate reporting has described his father Rachid as originally from Casablanca.
Where was Anass Zaroury born?
Anass Zaroury was born on November 7, 2000, in Mechelen, Belgium.
Why does Anass Zaroury play for Morocco?
Zaroury represented Belgium through several youth levels but chose Morocco for his senior international career. He has said that playing for Morocco was something he had always wanted.
Does Anass Zaroury play for Columbus Crew?
Yes. As of now, Anass Zaroury plays for Columbus Crew on loan from Panathinaikos. Columbus acquired him in September 2026 through the 2027 MLS Sprint Season, with an option for a permanent transfer.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
