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Casablanca – Morocco defender Ismaël Baouf has described his omission from the Atlas Lions’ final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a painful setback, saying he had believed he was close to fulfilling one of his biggest dreams before ultimately being left out.
The 19-year-old recalled learning that he had not made the final cut after initially being included in the preliminary list.
“I was disappointed when I was not included in the final squad,” Baouf said. “When you are selected in the preliminary squad, you realize you are close to making it and build great hopes. It was like a dream, but my time had not yet come.”
Despite his disappointment, the young defender insisted the experience has only strengthened his motivation to one day represent the national team in international tournaments.
Still committed to the Atlas Lions
“I strongly want to take part not only in the World Cup, but in every upcoming tournament,” he said. “Being part of the next squad would be a tremendous honor because I would be representing Morocco. I will do everything I can to convince the national team coach of my abilities.”
Baouf’s comments come after a remarkable rise over the past year. The Belgian-born center-back helped Morocco win the 2025 FIFAU20 World Cup in Chile before earning his first senior call-up.
After leaving Anderlecht in the summer of 2025, Baouf joined Dutch side SC Cambuur, where he quickly established himself as one of the club’s standout performers.
He scored once and helped keep three clean sheets in his first five appearances, prompting head coach Henk de Jong to describe him as “one of the best defenders in the world in his category.”
During Morocco’s historic U20 World Cup triumph, Baouf anchored a defense that conceded just one non-penalty goal across seven matches as the Young Atlas Lions defeated Spain, Brazil, South Korea, France, and Argentina to lift the title for the first time.
Now under contract with Cambuur until 2028, Baouf remains focused on continuing his development while working toward his long-term ambition of becoming a regular member of Morocco’s senior national team.
