Ballon d'Or 2026: Hakimi, Bounou and Bouaddi Represent Morocco
France Football has named Achraf Hakimi among the Ballon d'Or 2026 contenders, Yassine Bounou among the world's best goalkeepers, and Ayyoub Bouaddi among the top young talents.
Morocco will be represented in three major categories of the 2026 Ballon d'Or awards, after France Football magazine announced on Tuesday, September 8, the nominations of Achraf Hakimi among the contenders for the top prize, Yassine Bounou among the world's ten best goalkeepers, and Ayyoub Bouaddi among the nominees for best young player, capping a strong season for the Atlas Lions with their clubs and the national team. The awards ceremony will be held on October 26.
Hakimi Returns to the Race for the Top Prize
Achraf Hakimi, captain of the Atlas Lions, is once again in contention for the Ballon d'Or after finishing sixth in the 2025 rankings. The Moroccan defender's nomination follows a trophy-laden season with Paris Saint-Germain and the national team: he won the Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco, as well as the Champions League, the European Super Cup and the French league title with PSG, finishing the campaign with 4 goals and 17 assists in 49 matches. Hakimi will compete against Ousmane Dembélé, the title holder, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Lionel Messi.
Bounou Among the World's Elite for the Third Time
Yassine Bounou has earned his third career nomination among the world's ten best goalkeepers, after finishing third in 2023 and fifth in 2025. The nomination for the Al-Hilal goalkeeper rewards a solid season in which he helped Morocco reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, in addition to his performances with his club at the Saudi and continental levels. Bounou will face competition from Thibaut Courtois, Emiliano Martínez, David Raya, Gregor Kobel and Édouard Mendy.
Bouaddi Represents the New Generation
Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, will represent Morocco in the best young player category, after a season that saw him rise rapidly, first standing out with LOSC before establishing himself with the Atlas Lions at the 2026 World Cup, where he played five matches. That rise culminated this summer in his transfer to Manchester City in a deal that could reach €100 million, making him the most expensive Moroccan player in history. Bouaddi will compete against Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Warren Zaïre-Emery and Yan Diomandé.
Summary of the Three Nominations
| Category | Moroccan Nominee | Main Competitors |
|---|---|---|
| Top Prize (Ballon d'Or) | Achraf Hakimi | Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Lionel Messi |
| Best Goalkeeper | Yassine Bounou | Thibaut Courtois, Emiliano Martínez, David Raya, Gregor Kobel, Édouard Mendy |
| Best Young Player | Ayyoub Bouaddi | Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Yan Diomandé |
Why This Matters
Having three Moroccan players nominated in three different Ballon d'Or categories in the same season reflects the momentum of Moroccan football, driven by a strong run for the national team at the 2026 World Cup and standout performances by its players in Europe's top leagues. The announcement comes as other Moroccan internationals, such as Bilal El Khannouss and Gessime Yassine, continue to turn heads in the Bundesliga and Ligue 1, underscoring the growing depth of Moroccan talent in Europe ahead of the October 26 ceremony.