Bouaddi chooses Morocco for 2026 World Cup after Deschamps snub

Ayyoub Bouaddi will not wear the France shirt at the 2026 World Cup. The 19-year-old midfielder, now at Manchester City, has officially confirmed his choice in favour of Morocco after Didier Deschamps informed him he would not be retained for the final tournament.

The former France manager had been alerted to the profile of the Senlis-born player. National Technical Director Hubert Fournier had described him as a « unique talent », and Bouaddi already had ten caps with the French U21s. Deschamps nonetheless judged the player « not quite ready » for the immediate demands of a World Cup, preferring to rely on established players. He also indicated he had not communicated directly with him: « That is not how I operate. »

Analyst Pierre Ménès was forthright on his YouTube channel. « I think the fact that Deschamps told Bouaddi he would not play in the World Cup, when obviously Morocco was opening its arms to him, obviously weighed heavily, » he said. « He should indeed have called Bouaddi beforehand to try to prevent this. It is a missed opportunity. » Ménès did however qualify his remarks: « When your name is Bouaddi and you play for Morocco, there is nothing that shocks me either. »

The timing is all the more striking given that Zinedine Zidane, Deschamps’ successor as France manager, precisely advocates the technical and vertical style of play in which Bouaddi excels. The player, who now shines in the colours of the Lions of the Atlas, thus represents a closed chapter for the new era of French football.