Didier Deschamps faces criticism over Ayyoub Bouaddi selection

Former France national team coach Didier Deschamps is facing backlash from supporters following his decision not to select 19-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi for the 2026 World Cup. Despite being described as a ‘unique talent’ by National Technical Director Hubert Fournier and having 10 selections with the French Espoirs, Deschamps opted to rely on established players, stating Bouaddi was ‘not quite ready yet’ for the pressures of a World Cup finals.

As a result of this decision, Bouaddi chose to represent Morocco, where he has recently performed well, including in a match against Mali. The decision has drawn sharp criticism on social media, with some fans expressing significant regret over the lost talent. Notably, Bouaddi’s profile is highly regarded by the new France coach, Zinedine Zidane, who favors a technical three-man midfield.

Separately, following his 14-year tenure ending in 2026, Deschamps reportedly declined an offer to coach the Turkish national team to take a sabbatical. He remains linked to potential future coaching roles alongside candidates such as Julian Nagelsmann and Vitor Pereira.