A quiet but significant tug-of-war between France and Morocco over Ayoub Bouaddi has concluded with Morocco securing the teenager’s international future ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
The Lille midfielder, widely regarded as one of Ligue 1’s most promising young talents, was born in France to Moroccan parents. However, FIFA has now granted approval for Bouaddi to represent Morocco at senior international level, marking a key development for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation ahead of the tournament beginning on 11 June.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation confirmed on Friday that it had received a final decision from FIFA’s Players’ Status Chamber. The governing body approved the federation’s request for a change of sporting nationality, clearing the 18-year-old midfielder to compete in international competitions for Morocco without restriction.
Bouaddi had previously represented France at youth level, most recently captaining the France Under-21 side in a UEFA European Championship qualifying match against Luxembourg. Despite his involvement in France’s youth setup, he has opted to pursue his senior international career with Morocco.
At club level, Bouaddi has become a regular feature in Lille’s first team over the past three seasons, making more than 90 appearances across all competitions. His rapid rise includes a record-breaking milestone in October 2023, when he became the youngest player ever to feature in European club competition at the age of 16 years and three days, during a UEFA Europa Conference League fixture.
The case reflects Morocco’s continued strategy of recruiting dual-nationality players to strengthen its national squad. In recent years, the federation has successfully convinced several players with eligibility for other countries to switch allegiance. Among them is Fulham defender Issa Diop, who was born in France to a Moroccan mother, as well as Ajax midfielder Ryan Bounida, a former Belgium Under-19 captain.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held jointly in the United States, Canada and Mexico between 11 June and 19 July. Morocco, the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup, will compete in Group C. Their group-stage opponents include Brazil, Haiti and Scotland.
Key details
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Player | Ayoub Bouaddi |
| Age | 18 |
| Birthplace | France |
| International allegiance | France (youth), Morocco (senior approved) |
| Club | Lille |
| Club appearances | 90+ matches |
| Notable record | Youngest player in European club competition (16 years, 3 days) |
| FIFA decision | Approved change of sporting nationality |
| Morocco group | Group C (Brazil, Haiti, Scotland) |
The FIFA ruling confirms Bouaddi’s eligibility for Morocco and finalises his international switch ahead of the World Cup.