U20 World Cup (Chile-2025): ‘Our First Objective is to Get Past Group Stage’ -Head Coach

2025-09-22

The head coach of Morocco’s U-20 national football team, Mohamed Ouahbi, emphasized on Friday that the team’s primary objective is to advance past the group stage of the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will be held from September 27 to October 19 in Chile.

During a press conference held at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé to announce the squad selected for this global competition, Ouahbi stated that the players are eager to participate in this world tournament and fear no opponent, underlining that they are driven by a strong determination to play a leading role.

The national coach pointed out that Group C, consisting of Morocco, Spain, Brazil, and Mexico, is the toughest in the tournament, given the high caliber and talent of the players in those teams. He stressed that the battle for qualification to the second round would be intense.

Highlighting that the Moroccan team “will face teams with different playing styles,” Ouahbi affirmed that “the Moroccan players are determined to present the best possible image of Moroccan football.”

The coach also expressed his satisfaction with the positive atmosphere within the national team, praising the good international reputation of the Atlas Lions, “as was confirmed during the friendly matches, where every team we faced showed us great respect.”

Regarding the list of players called up for the World Cup in Chile, Ouahbi explained that the initial list included around 55 players before narrowing it down to 21. He noted that he made a point of giving opportunities to players who didn’t participate in the last Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, allowing them enough time during friendly matches to prove their capabilities and readiness to join the national squad.

“We selected the most ready players,” he added, noting that he faced challenges convincing several European clubs that refused to release their players for the tournament.

“We based our selection on several criteria, especially the players’ current form and technical level. Some positions were highly competitive,” he explained, noting that he chose players who delivered the best performances, whether during the Africa Cup or in recent training camps.

The U20 World Cup draw placed the Atlas Cubs in Group C alongside Spain, Brazil, and Mexico. The Atlas Cubs will play their first match against Spain on Sunday, September 28, before facing Brazil on October 2, and concluding the group stage against Mexico two days later.

MAP: 19 September 2025

CAF Awards 2025: Moroccan Ghizlaine Chebbak Named African Player of the Year

Moroccan Ghizlaine Chebbak, captain of the Atlas Lionesses, was named African Player of the Year at the CAF Awards 2025 ceremony, held Wednesday evening in Rabat.

Alongside Chebbak, the final list of candidates for this award also included Sanaa Mssoudy, forward for AS FAR and the Moroccan national team, and Nigerian Rasheedat Ajibade, PSG player.

The award was presented by CAF President Patrice Motsepe.

Doha Madani

AS FAR player Doha Madani won the Best Young Player of the Year award during the CAF Awards ceremony, held Wednesday evening in Rabat.

At 20 years old, the young Moroccan represents a true hope for Moroccan and African football.

Meanwhile, Tanzanian Clement Mzize, a TP Mazembe player, received the award for the Best Goal of the Year 2025.

Also nominated for the award were goals scored by Moroccans Oussama Lamlioui, forward for Renaissance Berkane, and Ghizlane Chebbak, captain of the Lionesses of the Atlas.

2025 U17 Women’s World Cup: Morocco Defeats Costa Rica 3-1

Morocco’s national U17 women’s football team defeated Costa Rica 3-1 on Friday evening at the Rabat Olympic Stadium, in the third and final match of Group A in the tournament’s final phase.

The goals for Morocco were scored by Mayssa Baha (4th minute and 39th minute, the latter from a penalty) and Fabiana Alfaro (77th minute, own goal), while Costa Rica reduced the deficit through Naima Moya in stoppage time (90+5).

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025: Morocco Falls to Italy 1-3

Morocco’s under-17 women’s national football team fell 3-1 to Italy on Tuesday night at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium, in their second Group A match of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Giulia Galli struck twice for Italy in the 5th and 13th minutes, while Rachele Giudici added a third in the 23rd. Dounia El Masmoudi pulled one back for Morocco in the 82nd minute, but it proved too little too late.

In the group’s other fixture, Brazil and Costa Rica shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw.

After two rounds of play, Italy lead Group A with six points, followed by Brazil on four and Costa Rica with one. Morocco sit bottom of the table with no points.

On the final matchday of the group stage, scheduled for Friday, October 24, Morocco will face Costa Rica, while Italy take on Brazil.

Presence of Women’s National Football Team at Throne Day Reception Hosted by HM the King Reflects Renewed Royal Goodwill Toward National Sport

The presence of the women’s national football team, finalists in the 2024 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, at the reception hosted on Wednesday by His Majesty King Mohammed VI on the occasion of the glorious Throne Day celebrations, is yet another illustration of the Sovereign’s unfailing benevolence towards sport in general and football in particular.

In fact, His Majesty the King has consistently supported Moroccan athletes by providing them with all the conditions necessary to encourage them to achieve the best results and fly the national flag high at the continental, regional, and international levels.

Speaking to the press, on the occasion of the Throne Day reception offered by HM the King, the Atlas Lionesses said that they were proud to be received by the Sovereign, adding that it is a great honor and a source of motivation to persevere in the same path in order to meet the aspirations of His Majesty the King and the Moroccan people.

This Royal gesture of goodwill is a “source of motivation to continue working for the next African Cup of Nations,” emphasized the Atlas Lionesses captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, top scorer of the continental competition.

In this respect, she reiterated, on behalf of the entire national team, their commitment to do their best to meet the expectations of the Moroccan people.

For her part, Khadija Errmichi, the team’s goalkeeper, said that “on this occasion dear to our hearts and to the hearts of all Moroccans, the glorious Throne Day, we express our heartfelt thanks and deep gratitude to HM the King,” emphasizing that the Sovereign’s High Solicitude and Goodwill remain “unforgettable moments” forever engraved in the memory of the members of the national team.

“We will redouble our efforts to fly the national flag high and always present the best image of national women’s football,” she said.

For Sanae Messaoudi, this royal gesture is “a source of pride for all of us.” “We hope to bring happiness to the Moroccans who support us and have always supported us,” she said.

“We ask the Moroccan public to continue to support us and we promise to do our best to achieve this ambition” of winning the continental title, she said.

“It’s a dream for us. We are very happy to be received by His Majesty the King,” said Yasmine Katie Mrabet, defender for the women’s national team.

The Moroccan international expressed the national team’s great pride in their brilliant performance during the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations. “We will learn from our mistakes and work to improve,” she said.

For his part, the national women’s football team head coach, Jorge Vilda, said that he was honored to be received, along with the members of the national team, by His Majesty King Mohammed VI. “It’s an unforgettable day. The national team players are very happy,“ he said, adding that ”this noble royal gesture is a recognition of the work done.”

After their brilliant performance at the last Women’s AFCON in 2024, which the Kingdom hosted, His Majesty the King sent a message of congratulations to the members of the women’s national team, in which He praised “the outstanding competitive spirit and the high sense of patriotism” shown by the members of the national team throughout the championship.

HM the King also praised their firm determination to establish the strong presence of Moroccan football at the continental and international levels and to represent, as they should, national women’s sport, as well as the efforts of the players and the technical, medical, and administrative staff to fulfill the expectations of Moroccan fans who aspire to more titles.

WAFCON Title Was Decided by ‘Small Details’ – Morocco’s Head Coach

The Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final was lost by the Moroccan national team against Nigeria (2-3) due to “small details,” said head coach Jorge Vilda.

“The players delivered a perfect first half, but in the second half, they collapsed physically due to the significant effort they put in during the first half of the match,” explained Vilda during a press conference held after the final of the Women Africa Cup of Nations (Morocco 2024).

He emphasized that the cancellation of the penalty in the final minutes of the match was a blow to the players, considering that the national team was the better side on the field, despite the strength of the Nigerian team.

“It is still too early to assess the Moroccan team’s performance in this tournament,” he said, stressing that all members of the national team are disappointed and deeply saddened by the loss of the title.

In this regard, he added that the national team includes experienced players capable of giving a lot in the future, despite the age of some of them, explaining that the physical collapse was due to having played 120 minutes in the semifinal against Ghana, in addition to the great efforts made throughout the tournament.

Monday 08 December 2025