Zinedine Zidane tried to talk Ayyoub Bouaddi into joining France — but the 18-year-old Lille midfielder still picked Morocco for the World Cup quarter-final on Thursday at 22:00.
What happened?
Ayyoub Bouaddi will face his birth country at Lusail on 18 June after a 1-1 draw with Brazil on 14 June. The teenager impressed in Qatar, then stunned the French Football Federation by opting for Morocco’s green shirt over Les Bleus. French technical director Hubert Fournier called it “a significant loss for the FFF.”
Bouaddi spent months weighing both sides. Between July and December 2025, Walid Regragui, then Morocco coach, made three trips to Lille to pitch the Africa Cup of Nations squad. Bouaddi chose club duty instead, skipping eight matches. Lille’s sporting director, Julien Létang, urged patience and even phoned federation president Philippe Diallo — who said it wasn’t his call.
Why Zinedine Zidane got involved
Didier Deschamps never called Bouaddi. Deschamps said he’d only reach out when the moment felt right, citing midfield depth with Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot, N’Golo Kanté, Warren Zaïre-Emery and Moussa Koné. Zidane phoned but could not promise anything, according to L’Équipe. Morocco’s coach Mohamed Ouahbi and federation president Fouzi Lekjaa kept pushing too.
Bouaddi made the call alone in early May. He told his parents he dreamed of playing at a World Cup. France stayed close to his heart, yet he chose certainty. Guy Stéphan, Deschamps’s assistant, pointed to the squad’s options: “We’ve got Tchouaméni, Rabiot, Kanté, Zaïre-Emery and Koné.”
What it means for Morocco and France
Morocco’s quarter-final clash with France at 22:00 on 18 June is now a high-stakes showdown. Bouaddi’s arrival gives Walid Regragui another creative outlet in midfield. France, meanwhile, loses a player they courted for months. The FFF’s technical staff admit the setback hurts their depth chart.
Regragui’s side has already beaten Brazil once in this tournament. Bouaddi’s decision adds another layer to the rivalry. France must now beat a Moroccan team that’s already shown it can grind out results.
What comes next?
France’s path stays tough. They face a Morocco side that’s hungry, organized and led by players Bouaddi knows well from Lille. The 18-year-old’s choice could shift momentum before a ball is even kicked.
For Bouaddi, the World Cup dream is alive. For France, the regret lingers. The quarter-final on 18 June will decide which side benefits more from his bold call.