France national team manager Didier Deschamps held a press conference on March 20, 2026, ahead of upcoming friendly matches against Germany and Chile. He addressed speculation surrounding 16-year-old Lyon midfielder Bilal Bouaddi, who is eligible to play for both France and Morocco.
Deschamps confirmed that Bouaddi has been called up to a France youth team gathering, stating it is a "logical continuation" of his development within the French federation's system. He emphasized that the final sporting choice belongs to the player, who must feel ready for such a step.
The coach also discussed the broader context of dual-nationality players, a recurring topic for the French squad. He reiterated that his role is to call up players who are competitive and committed to the French team, respecting each individual's decision-making process.
Deschamps did not comment on former U.S. President Donald Trump during the press conference, focusing solely on sporting matters related to the French team's preparation.
