The French Football Federation has acknowledged that Ayyoub Bouaddi’s decision to represent Morocco is a significant setback, with national technical director Hubert Fournier revealing that France did not believe the midfielder was ready for senior international football before he committed to the Atlas Lions.
Bouaddi, widely regarded as one of the brightest talents of his generation, pledged his international future to Morocco during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and has already established himself as an important figure in the team’s midfield.
Speaking to The Athletic, Fournier reflected on the 18-year-old’s decision and France’s handling of one of its most highly rated prospects.
‘There is no other Bouaddi’
Fournier admitted the French federation had closely monitored the Lille midfielder for years and viewed him as a unique talent within his age group.
He described Bouaddi’s decision as a major loss for French football while acknowledging that the final choice belonged to the player.
“A significant loss for our federation, but it’s his choice. He’s a talent we’ve been following for many years, and we know that, in his age group, there’s no other Bouaddi.”
Deschamps opted to wait
Fournier also revealed that France head coach Didier Deschamps decided against promoting Bouaddi to the senior national team because he felt the teenager was not yet ready for that level.
That hesitation, according to the French official, created the opportunity for Morocco to secure the midfielder’s international commitment.
“He wasn’t quite ready yet. Morocco offered him that opportunity. I can understand his point of view and his choice.”
Bouaddi already making an impact
Since choosing Morocco, Bouaddi has become an important part of the Atlas Lions’ World Cup campaign, bringing energy, composure and technical quality to midfield.
The teenager has featured prominently as Morocco advanced to the knockout stages and is expected to play another key role in the Round of 16 clash against Canada alongside creative midfielder Brahim Díaz.
Growing battle for dual-national talent
Bouaddi’s international switch once again highlights the increasing competition between national federations for dual-national players emerging from Europe’s leading academies.
With many young footballers eligible to represent multiple countries, national teams are increasingly competing not only on the pitch but also in convincing elite prospects where to build their international careers.
For Morocco, securing Bouaddi represents another major success in attracting one of Europe’s most promising young talents, while France have openly admitted they have lost a player they considered among the best of his generation.
