Ayyoub Bouaddi Starts for Morocco Against Brazil in 2026 World Cup Opener

Ayyoub Bouaddi started for Morocco in its opening 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Brazil on Saturday at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey. The 18-year-old midfielder completed 91 percent of his passes, including all 16 attempted in the attacking third. Brazilian midfielder Casemiro was substituted at half-time.

Bouaddi’s performance drew immediate attention from analysts and supporters. Bouaddi became the youngest player to record 50 appearances in France’s Ligue 1 before June 2026. He helped Lille defeat Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League in October 2024 and captained France’s Under-21 national team as recently as March 2026.

Bouaddi passed the French Baccalaureate at age 16 and is currently pursuing a degree in mathematics. He began playing for AFC Creil at age five. His father, Hassan Bouaddi, is a former handball player, banking director, and deputy mayor of Creil, a town about 50 km north of Paris.

A nationality switch application for Bouaddi to represent Morocco was filed and approved by FIFA in May 2026. ” Ouahbi previously won the 2025 Under-20 World Cup with Morocco. Walid Regragui was Morocco’s previous national team coach and led the team to the semifinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Lille extended Bouaddi’s contract in 2025; three years remain on the deal. The club is expected to ask at least 100 million euros for Bouaddi in any transfer. ” A photograph of 10-year-old Bouaddi wearing a Morocco shirt at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia circulated on social media after the Brazil match.

Morocco’s remaining 2026 World Cup group stage matches are against Scotland and Haiti.