LOSC Lille’s Bouaddi Faces Nationality Hurdle for Morocco World Cup Qualifiers

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) would not yet have received from FIFA the notification of the change of sports nationality of Bouaddi who chose in December last to join the Atlas Lions to the detriment of France. As a result, the young talent of LOSC Lille could miss the closed-door training camp at the Mohammed VI Center in Rabat, in preparation for the matches against Niger and Tanzania, counting for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The choice of the Franco-Moroccan to wear the Moroccan jersey would not be final, according to certain sources, noting that the 17-year-old player would currently be more focused on his participation with the France U21 team in the European Championship for this category. A member of the Moroccan national team’s technical staff has assured, for his part, that coach Walid Regragui had managed to convince Bouaddi and his family to defend the colors of Morocco for the next matches, during his tour in Europe.

The official also confirmed that Bouaddi had agreed to join the Atlas Lions. However, he stated that he was not able to support the fact that the Lille talent "has gone back on his decision as long as we have not yet received official confirmation from him." If Bouaddi does not officially announce his decision to play for Morocco, Walid Regragui will not include him in the final list for the matches against Niger and Tanzania, the official added, stating that the Moroccan coach will await a final decision from the 17-year-old talent.

Born in France to Moroccan parents, Ayoub Bouaddi was trained at the LOSC Lille Academy. The Franco-Moroccan talent has played in all the youth categories of the French team. At only 17 years old, he plays in the U21 team.