Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi says representing the Atlas Lions at the FIFA World Cup fulfills a lifelong dream, while insisting his decision to switch international allegiance from France does not diminish the pride he feels for the country where he was born and developed as a footballer.
The 18-year-old Lille star, one of the breakout performers of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, shared an emotional message reflecting on his international journey after completing his FIFA-approved switch from France to Morocco earlier this year. (Reuters)
“I’m proud to be able to represent Morocco in the biggest competition,” Bouaddi said.
“It’s a dream coming true, but especially the beginning of a new step, with even more work, demands and responsibilities.”
The teenager added that wearing Morocco’s shirt is not the culmination of his ambitions but the start of a new chapter, one that carries greater expectations as the Atlas Lions continue their quest for World Cup glory.
Bouaddi also addressed his connection with France, where he was born in Senlis and progressed through every major youth level of the French national team before opting to represent the country of his Moroccan parents.
“Thoughts also for France,” he said.
“My choice does not take away the pride and gratitude of having been able to wear this jersey as a youth. I am and always will be proud of my dual culture, path and roots.”
His comments have been widely praised for acknowledging both sides of his identity, reflecting the increasingly common journeys of dual-national footballers who balance their upbringing with their family heritage when choosing an international career.
Bouaddi’s decision followed months of discussions between the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and the player before FIFA’s Players’ Status Chamber approved his change of sporting nationality in May, making him immediately eligible for the Atlas Lions ahead of the World Cup.
Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has repeatedly expressed his confidence in the young midfielder, handing him a starting role almost immediately after his arrival in the senior squad. Reuters reported that Ouahbi viewed Bouaddi as one of the cornerstones of his evolving midfield despite the player’s age, describing him as capable of thriving under the pressure of football’s biggest stage.
The faith has been rewarded.
Bouaddi has emerged as one of Morocco’s standout performers during the tournament, displaying maturity beyond his years while helping the Atlas Lions reach the World Cup quarter-finals. His performances have attracted interest from several of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Premier League champions Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Bayern Munich all reportedly monitoring the Lille midfielder.
Born in France to Moroccan parents, Bouaddi had long been regarded as one of the brightest prospects in French football. He captained France’s Under-21 side and became the youngest player ever to feature in a European club competition when he debuted for Lille at just 16 years and three days old.
Now, however, the teenage midfielder says his future belongs with Morocco.
His decision has become another example of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s successful strategy of combining elite homegrown talent with dual-national players developed in Europe’s top academies—a model that helped Morocco reach the World Cup semi-finals in 2022 and has once again positioned the Atlas Lions among the tournament’s strongest sides.
For Bouaddi, the choice was never about rejecting one identity for another.
Instead, it was about embracing both.
“I am and always will be proud of my dual culture, path and roots,” he said—a message that resonates far beyond football as Morocco continue their historic World Cup journey.