Franco-Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has been called up to the France Under-19 national team for their upcoming matches. The 18-year-old Lyon prospect was included in coach Lionel Rouxel's squad announced on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
Bouaddi, who is eligible to represent both France and Morocco, had been the subject of a recruitment tug-of-war between the two nations' football federations. His selection for "Les Bleuets" indicates his initial commitment to the French national team pathway at the youth level.
The France U19 team will face Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovakia in UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification matches during the March international window. Bouaddi's inclusion follows his performances for Lyon's youth teams, where he is considered a top talent.
While this call-up represents a significant step, the player remains eligible to switch his senior international allegiance to Morocco in the future, per FIFA eligibility rules, should he not feature in a competitive senior match for France.
