Morocco’s next wave primed for first U-20 World Cup in 20 years

Morocco return to the FIFA U-20 World Cup with momentum and expectation, ending a two-decade absence from the tournament when Chile 2025 kicks off on Saturday.

 Drawn in a heavyweight Group C with Brazil, Spain and Mexico, the Atlas Cubs arrive as 2025 U-20 AFCON runners-up and with a clear brief from their coach: reach the knockouts and see how far the journey can go.

It will be Morocco’s fourth appearance at this level — and their first since a sparkling fourth-place finish in 2005 — a reminder that the country’s youth pathway has long produced teams that can live with the elite.

Their Chile mission begins in Santiago against Spain before meetings with Brazil and Mexico, all staged at the Estadio Nacional.

That sequence — and the calibre of opposition — offers an immediate stress test for a squad that has grown together through North African and continental competition.

The context: A swift rise, a proven conveyor belt

Morocco’s U-20s qualified by finishing runners-up at the U-20 AFCON in Egypt earlier this year, extending a youth-level resurgence built on the Mohammed VI Football Complex and deep collaboration with leading European clubs.

Historically, Morocco are no strangers to a run at this level — fourth in 2005 — and have one continental U-20 crown (1997) on the honour roll.

This edition marks their fourth U-20 World Cup appearance. 

The coach: Mohamed Ouahbi

Appointed three years afo to lead the U-20s through AFCON and into Chile, Mohamed Ouahbi, a Belgian of Morrocan descent, has set pragmatic targets and a steady tone. 

The tactian, who has worked with several famous youth academies in Belgium before being poached to coach the Morocco U20s, is known to favour attacking football.

“We have to get past the group stage,” said the 49-year-old, framing the tournament as a step-by-step campaign for a team that blends academy polish with competitive edge. 

His remarks echoed the mood at home: respect the draw, trust the process, and make the knockouts. 

Star player: Yassir Zabiri (Famalicao)

A left-sided creator with a powerful strike and calm decision-making, Yassir Zabiri has been flagged as a potential difference-maker for Chile. Comfortable between the lines, the Portugal-based player provides final-ball quality and set-piece threat that Morocco will need against elite group opponents.

One to watch: Othmane Maamma (Watford)

A recent mover to English football, Othmane Maamma brings tempo and bite to midfield, pressing to win high and breaking lines with early passes.

His capacity to tilt transitions could be vital in matches where Morocco cede territory and look to spring quickly.

Depth and notable names

This is a balanced 21 featuring talent drawn from European academies and Botola development tracks.

Yanis Benchaouch (Monaco) offers stability in the goalposts, while the spine has been selected with game-state flexibility in mind — Morocco can sit compact and counter or push up into a mid-press when momentum allows. 

The federation announced the squad this week, underscoring stability from AFCON to Chile.

How they’ll play

Expect compact distances without the ball, full-backs that choose their moments to advance, and quick verticals into a mobile front line.

Against Spain and Brazil, Morocco are likely to prioritise rest-defence and transitional punch; versus Mexico, they may hold higher field position and press more aggressively in wide zones.

The small margins — set-plays, defensive concentration and first-contact duels — will decide whether Ouahbi’s side turn performances into points.

What would success look like?

With one of the tournament’s toughest groups, progression to the Round of 16 would validate Morocco’s youth-development arc and set up a knockout where their organised, opportunistic style often travels well.

Given the programme’s recent track record and the coach’s measured ambition, a knockout berth is a realistic target — and anything beyond that would echo 2005’s deep run. 

Morocco’s Group C matches

• Spain v Morocco — Saturday, 27 September, Estadio Nacional, Santiago. 

• Brazil v Morocco — Wednesday, 1 October, Estadio Nacional, Santiago. 

• Morocco v Mexico — Saturday, 4 October, Estadio Nacional, Santiago. 

Fast facts

• Appearances: 4 (1997, 2005, 2025; plus qualified status recorded) — best: fourth (2005). 

• Route to Chile: U-20 AFCON runners-up (Egypt, 2025). 

• Coach’s target: “We have to get past the group stage.” — Mohamed Ouahbi.