Royal Moroccan Football Federation makes direct move for Ayyoub Bouaddi amid France interest

Royal Moroccan Football Federation has stepped up its efforts to secure the international allegiance of rising midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa and newly appointed Atlas Lions head coach Mohamed Ouahbi travelled to northern France to meet the highly rated 18-year-old, highlighting Morocco’s determination to bring the Lille talent into the national team setup.

The two officials first attended the match between LOSC Lille and Aston Villa F.C. before holding discussions with the player and his representatives.

Their presence in person underscores the importance Morocco attaches to Bouaddi’s decision at a time when competition from France remains strong. The young midfielder is currently at the centre of a tug of war between the two nations, with Morocco eager to convince him to become a long-term pillar of the Morocco national football team.

The visit also comes at a pivotal moment for the national side. In March 2026, Ouahbi replaced Walid Regragui as head coach of the Atlas Lions and is expected to begin a new cycle that blends experienced internationals with emerging talents. Bouaddi is viewed as a player who fits perfectly into that vision.

Reports circulating in recent days suggest the Lille midfielder may have already given a preliminary agreement to represent Morocco beginning in June 2026. However, the Moroccan federation is keen to finalise the commitment as quickly as possible, particularly as France and its head coach Didier Deschamps, continue to monitor the player closely.

Despite his young age, Bouaddi has already enjoyed a strong 2025 to 2026 campaign with Lille. The midfielder has featured in 22 matches in Ligue 1, accumulating 1,674 minutes while maintaining an impressive pass accuracy of around 89 per cent and contributing one assist.