Rabat – Ismaël Baouf has been named in Morocco’s preliminary senior squad for the first time, following his standout performances at the 2025 U20 World Cup in Chile, according to his club.
At just 19 years old, Baouf has quickly become one of the most promising defenders in his age group. After leaving Anderlecht in the summer of 2025, he joined Dutch side SC Cambuur and made an instant impact. His contract with Cambuur runs until June 2028.
In his first five appearances, he scored one goal and helped the team keep three clean sheets, earning praise from coach Henk de Jong, who called him “one of the best defenders in the world in his category.”
Baouf was a key figure in Morocco’s historic U20 World Cup win. He won 11 of 14 ground duels and 11 of 21 aerial duels, anchoring a defense that conceded just one non-penalty goal in seven matches.
Morocco defeated Spain, Brazil, South Korea, France, and Argentina to lift the trophy for the first time.
Born in Charleroi, Belgium, Baouf trained at Anderlecht and played 49 matches with RSCA Futures in the Challenger Pro League before moving to the Netherlands. Despite his rapid rise, he remains focused: “I’m concentrating on Morocco and Cambuur,” he told Voetbalzone.
His market value is now estimated at over €5.7 million, five times Cambuur’s record outgoing transfer. With his first senior call-up, Baouf is one step closer to his dream of playing for Morocco at the Afcon.
