Moroccan teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi will become the second-youngest player to play in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup when he takes the field against France in Boston on Thursday.
The 18-year-old is behind Pele on the all-time list, who was 17 years and 239 days old when he played for Brazil against Wales in 1958.
Bouaddi only made his national team debut in May this year under head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, after representing France in age-group football.
He played four of his country’s five matches at this World Cup.
Bouaddi came through the ranks at Ligue 1 club Lille, making 63 appearances for the side since his debut in 2023.
Published on July 10, 2026
