Ayyoub Bouaddi made his debut for the Morocco national team on Tuesday, featuring in a dominant 5-0 victory over Burundi in a friendly match, according to the official Équipe du Maroc social media account. The Lille forward was included in a 28-man preliminary squad assembled by head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who took charge in March, as he assesses options ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Ayoub El Kaabi and Soufiane Benjdida both scored twice in the convincing win, serving as a positive warm-up for the tournament. The match provided valuable playing time for players vying for a place in the final squad, with established stars like Achraf Hakimi and Yassine Bounou not involved in this particular gathering.
Bouaddi, 23, has enjoyed a breakthrough season with Lille in Ligue 1, contributing consistently to their attack. He has become a key component of Paulo Fonseca’s side, demonstrating pace and skill on the wing. This debut cap represents a significant moment in his international career, offering him the opportunity to represent his country on the world stage.
Coach Ouahbi will announce his final World Cup roster later on Tuesday evening. The friendly against Burundi was part of a pre-tournament camp that began on May 22nd, designed to finalize selections in areas of the squad where competition is particularly strong. The Morocco squad will be looking to build on their impressive run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
