Morocco head coach Walid Regragui is preparing to travel to France as part of his efforts to persuade Lille youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi to commit his international future to the Atlas Lions.
Working closely with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Regragui has intensified his approach in recent weeks as he seeks to secure emerging dual-national talents for Morocco’s long-term project.
According to reports in French and Moroccan media, the coach is expected to meet Bouaddi and his family in Lille in the coming days.
Convincing Bouaddi to Choose Morocco
Bouaddi, who has represented France at youth level, is seen as a player with significant potential and a figure who could strengthen Morocco’s midfield options in the years ahead. Regragui is understood to be focusing not only on the player but also on his parents, who retain strong ties to Morocco, in an attempt to influence his decision.
The Moroccan coach believes the 18-year-old could be a natural fit in defensive midfield, an area viewed as one of the positions where the national team still seeks depth and long-term stability.
“Regragui is keen on Bouaddi as he is capable of filling the void that persists in the Atlas Lions’ defensive midfield,” reports have stated.
The coach’s determination underlines how highly he regards the Lille prospect, who has already begun to attract attention in Ligue 1.
Balancing Between France and Morocco
Bouaddi’s international future remains undecided, with France also continuing to monitor his development closely. Like many young talents with dual nationality, the decision carries significant weight, and the outcome will depend not only on footballing considerations but also on personal and family influence.
For Morocco, Regragui’s personal involvement reflects a wider strategy to actively secure dual-national players before they become fully integrated into European national teams.
Previous successes, such as persuading several French-born players of Moroccan heritage to represent the Atlas Lions, have reinforced the importance of this approach.
Upcoming World Cup Qualifiers
Regragui is expected to announce his squad shortly for Morocco’s next two fixtures in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, with matches scheduled against Niger and Zambia.
Whether Bouaddi’s name will be included remains uncertain, but the coach’s outreach suggests that efforts to involve him in future squads are already under way.
The qualifiers carry significant weight for Morocco, who are aiming to build on their impressive recent performances on the international stage and strengthen their squad with emerging talent.
The pursuit of Bouaddi is part of this broader strategy, ensuring that promising young players with Moroccan heritage remain firmly in the national team’s plans.
A Defining Decision Ahead
Bouaddi’s choice between France and Morocco will ultimately shape his international career. Regragui’s personal mission to France highlights just how crucial the midfielder is viewed within Morocco’s long-term vision.
For now, the young Lille player has yet to publicly state his intentions. But with Morocco’s head coach ready to make the case directly to him and his family, the coming weeks could prove decisive in determining where his international allegiance will lie.
