Morocco Recruits Bouaddi: World Cup 2026 Ambitions Rise

The policy led by Faouzi Lekjaa, president of Morocco’s football governing body, is bearing fruit. In his avowed quest to recover young prodigies, the Kingdom has pulled off a nice coup by attracting Ayoub Bouaddi. At just 18 years old, the Lille midfielder and former captain of French youth selections answered the call of his parents’ country.

On Bladi.net : Ayyoub Bouaddi in Morocco? The player’s response two months before the World Cup

The talented player was able to settle in and express his pride during a first gathering organized at the end of May at the Mohammed VI complex in Maâmoura, near Salé. An anticipated integration to build bonds with his future teammates, just before the arrival of the senior players, including captain Achraf Hakimi, held back by the end of the club season.

The arrival of this great prospect comes to enhance a group now judged much more experienced and talented than it was four years ago, according to sports analyst Oussama Beraoui, cited by Hespress. This generation will now evolve under the orders of Mohamed Ouahbi. This technician native of Belgium, recent winner of the World Cup with the under-20s, took the reins of the selection following Walid Regragui’s departure three months before the American tournament. Far from being frightened by this challenge, the new coach assumes his gigantic ambitions. Questioned by the Arryadia channel, he displays absolute determination: "I believe in everything, and I believe that we are capable of going all the way and winning the World Cup," while conceding, lucidly, that a first-round elimination remains one of football’s realities.

On Bladi.net : Morocco’s Regragui Pursues Lille Prodigy Bouaddi for AFCON Glory

This hunger for victory accompanies a radical change in status for the eighth nation in the FIFA ranking (first in Africa). Gone is the surprise effect of the 2022 defensive system. As former Cameroonian captain Benjamin Moukandjo recalls on beIN Sports, "Morocco frightens" and is now feared by its opponents. The Lions of the Atlas will have to manage this immense pressure, compounded by a particular context: the former coach faced heavy popular criticism for his style of play, and the recent triumph at the 2025 Africa Cup was obtained by administrative decision against Senegal. A trophy moreover contested before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Expectations are immense for the country, which is actively preparing its co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup with the construction of a gigantic stadium of 115,000 seats near Casablanca.