Ayyoub Bouaddi, France-born midfielder has been cleared to represent Morocco ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Moroccan federation announced that FIFA’s Status Chamber approved Bouaddi’s sporting nationality switch, making the 18-year-old immediately eligible to play for the Morocco national football team in all international competitions.

Born in Senlis, north of Paris, to Moroccan parents, Bouaddi currently plays for Lille OSC in Ligue 1 and had previously represented France at the under-21 level before opting to join the Atlas Lions project.

Morocco begins their Group C campaign against Brazil in New Jersey on 13 June, with Scotland and Haiti also drawn in the group.

Bouaddi’s switch is another major endorsement of Morocco’s growing influence in world football.

In recent years, Morocco has increasingly attracted high-profile dual-national talents, with the country’s football structure, infrastructure, and international ambitions helping strengthen its appeal among emerging players.

The federation described Bouaddi’s decision as further proof of the credibility of the Moroccan football model, which has gained global recognition following sustained investment and strategic planning.

Morocco’s rise has accelerated since becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semifinal at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Off the pitch, the country has also continued to establish itself as a major football destination and is preparing to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

Bouaddi now joins a Moroccan squad aiming to build on recent international success as the Atlas Lions prepare for another World Cup challenge.

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