Moroccan FA finalise Ayyoub Bouaddi switch as teen set for World Cup role

The Moroccan Football Association has completed the formalisation of Ayyoub Bouaddi’s change of international allegiance, making the highly rated midfielder eligible to represent the Atlas Lions at senior level.

The decision clears the pathway for the 18-year-old to be selected by the Morocco national football team, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup cycle in the United States, Canada and Mexico now a realistic stage for his potential international debut.

Bouaddi, who is on the books of LOSC Lille, had previously represented France at youth level, but has now fully committed his international future to Morocco following the completion of administrative requirements by the Moroccan FA.

Born in Senlis, France, to Moroccan parents, the teenager has long been considered one of Europe’s most exciting midfield prospects. His rise through Lille’s academy and early exposure to Ligue 1 football have placed him firmly on the radar of top clubs across the continent.

Morocco FA finalize international allegiance switch for Ayyoub Bouaddi

The Moroccan FA’s move is part of a strategy to secure elite dual-national talent ahead of major international tournaments, strengthening a squad that has rapidly grown in stature on the global stage in recent years.

With his eligibility now confirmed, Bouaddi could be in contention for selection during Morocco’s build-up to the 2026 World Cup, where the Atlas Lions are set to compete in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti.

The tournament, hosted across North America with key matches in the United States, would offer Bouaddi a major international platform should he continue his rapid development at club level.

Morocco’s recent success in attracting Europe-born talent has become a defining feature of their national team project, with the likes of Brahim Díaz, Achraf Hakimi, and others forming part of a growing core of internationally developed players who have chosen to represent the North African nation.