Morocco has three nominees across the 2026 Ballon d’Or categories: Achraf Hakimi on the 30-man main shortlist after winning the Champions League with PSG, Yassine Bounou earning his third Yachine Trophy nomination among ten goalkeepers, and 18-year-old Rabbi Bouaddi on the Kopa Trophy shortlist alongside Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí for his performances at the 2026 World Cup.
Hakimi remains Morocco’s only nominee on the main 30-man shortlist, joining a list dominated by players from Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and PSG.
His campaign included a Champions League triumph with PSG within the August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026 reference period, alongside a prominent role for the national team.
Bounou’s Yachine Trophy nomination is his third, following a third-place finish in 2023 and fifth in 2025.
He features on a ten-man list that includes Thibaut Courtois, Emiliano Martínez, Gregor Kobel, Édouard Mendy, David Raya, Unai Simón, Vozinha and Safonov.
Bounou has established himself as Morocco’s Guardian Between the Posts, solidifying his reputation among the world’s elite goalkeepers.
Bouaddi, 18, is nominated for the Kopa Trophy.
He is shortlisted alongside Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Kerim Alajbegović, Yan Diomandé, Lennart Karl, Elye Junior Kroupi, Johan Manzambi and Warren Zaïre-Emery.
Moroccan media have pointed to his performances at the 2026 World Cup as a key factor in his nomination.
Get the Atlas Lions Weekly
The biggest Morocco football stories, player updates and analysis—delivered to your inbox every Sunday.
