"FIFA" describes my promise as early genius.

The International Football Federation highlighted the rising Moroccan talent Ayoub Bouaddi, considering that the 18-year-old player has become one of the prominent names competing for the Best Young Player award at the 2026 World Cup, following his remarkable performance during the match between Morocco and Brazil in the first round of Group C.

A report published on the FIFA website confirmed that Bouaddi succeeded in attracting the attention of followers worldwide after his strong appearance against the Brazilian national team; he displayed a strong personality and tactical maturity beyond his years in a match that ended in a 1-1 draw.

The report noted that the player's brilliance was not surprising for national coach Mohamed Wahbi, who stated that the Moroccan technical staff had been aware of Bouaddi's potential for a long time, having had numerous discussions with him before choosing to represent the Moroccan national team.

Wahbi said: “I understand that Bouaddi is a discovery for some, but he is not for us. Playing at this level against Brazil at this age draws attention, but he is a player who maintains his focus and possesses great intelligence that allows him to keep his feet on the ground.”

The FIFA report explained that Bouaddi's career reflects a rare case of early maturity, highlighting that he was born in France and began playing football in the town of Créil, north of Paris, before joining the training center of French club Lille at the age of fourteen.

His distinction is not limited to football alone; the player obtained his baccalaureate at the age of 16 and won a public speaking competition, and he is currently studying mathematics, which reflects his high intellectual capabilities.

In terms of sports, his beginnings were exceptional; he started as a starter in a UEFA Conference League match just three days after turning 16, before delivering an outstanding performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League on the day he celebrated his seventeenth birthday.

The report added that Wahbi's presence at the helm of the Moroccan national team's technical management is a contributing factor to the development of Bouaddi's talent, especially since the Moroccan coach previously led the under-20 team to win the 2025 Youth World Cup and has accumulated significant experience in player development during his time in Belgium.

The report also conveyed Azedine Ounahi's praise for his young teammate, noting that the players discovered his great abilities from the very first training session, pointing to his calmness, intelligence, and ability to read the game.