Saturday 15 August 2026

Saturday 15 August 2026

On the High Instructions of HM the King, HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Chairs Ceremony Offered by the Sovereign in Honor of U-20 National Football Team Members, World Champions

بتعليمات سامية من جلالة الملك، صاحب السمو الملكي ولي العهد الأمير مولاي الحسن يترأس حفلا أقامه جلالته على شرف أعضاء المنتخب الوطني لكرة القدم لأقل من 20 سنة، بطل العالم

On the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, chaired, on Wednesday at the Royal Palace in Rabat, a ceremony offered by the Sovereign in honor of the members of the U-20 national football team, following their triumph in the 2025 World Cup organized in Chile.

On this occasion, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was greeted by the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, the national team head coach, Mohamed Ouahbi and the members of the national team, before posing for a souvenir photo.

A tea ceremony was subsequently held in honor of the U-20 national team members.

This reception highlights the Utmost Care which His Majesty the King, may God assist Him, has always granted to youth empowerment and supporting its flourishing through sport and the special attention that the Sovereign grants to this sector in general and to football in particular. 

It follows the historic achievement made by the U-20 national team, which claimed the world cup title, an unprecedented feat in the history of Moroccan and Arab football. 

This triumph is fully part of the enlightened, proactive vision of His Majesty the King, may God assist Him, elevating national sport training to the highest international standards, notably through the Mohammed VI Football Academy, a genuine pool of Moroccan young talents. Thus, it also represents a source of deep pride for the entire Nation and highlights the values of effort, perseverance and work, which pave the way for success and excellence.

Following the Atlas Cubs’ victory against the Argentine team in the U-20 FIFA World Cup final, His Majesty the King, may God assist Him, sent a congratulatory message to the members of the national team in which the Sovereign emphasized that the Moroccan team had aptly honored its country and its youth, by properly representing the Kingdom and the African Continent.

MAP: 22 October 2025

Related news

Morocco’s women’s national football team fell short of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (Morocco 2026) after losing to Cameroon 3–1 on penalties (0–0 after regulation and extra time) in the semi-final played Wednesday evening at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

Cameroon will face Malawi in the final on Sunday at the same stadium. Malawi earlier defeated Algeria 3–1 to secure their place in the final.

(MAP: 13 August 2026)

Morocco’s women’s national football team qualified for the semifinals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Morocco-2026) and for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after defeating South Africa 2-1 in a quarterfinal match played Saturday evening at Stade Moulay El Hassan in Rabat.

Morocco’s goals were scored by Soukaina Ouzraoui in the 31st minute following an assist from Hanane Ait El Haj.

Ait El Haj doubled Morocco’s lead in the 52nd minute, while Thembi Kgatlana pulled one back for South Africa in the 67th minute.

The Atlas Lionesses will face the winner of Sunday’s quarterfinal between Cameroon and Nigeria, to be played at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, in the semifinals.

(MAP: 09 August 2026)

The Moroccan women’s national football team has qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following a goalless draw (0-0) against Senegal in their third and final Group A match on Monday evening at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

With this result, Morocco finishes top of the group with 7 points, followed by Algeria (6 pts), while Senegal and Kenya, who were beaten 2-0 by Algeria, exit the competition.

The Atlas Lionesses will face the Group B runners-up in the quarter-finals this Saturday at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium.

(MAP: 03 August 2026)

Morocco women’s national football team head coach Jorge Vilda said his players will approach the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on Sunday, with total determination and a clear desire to live up to the expectations of Moroccan fans.

“Our Lionesses will give everything on the pitch. They will fight until the very end with commitment and determination. No one will be able to question their dedication. We will do everything possible to make Moroccans proud of their national team,” he told MAP on the eve of the tournament, which runs through August 16 in Rabat and Casablanca.

The Spanish coach said this edition of the Women’s AFCON carries added significance as it also serves as a pathway to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, to be held in Brazil next summer.

The objective is to reach the semifinals to secure direct qualification for the World Cup. “After that, we’ll see how far we can go,” he said, while stressing the importance of staying focused on Morocco’s opening match against Kenya and taking the tournament “step by step.”

After three seasons in charge of the Atlas Lionesses, Vilda believes the national team has reached a new level. More than 100 players have been assessed during FIFA international windows and training camps before narrowing the squad down to 26 internationals.

According to Vilda, this process has gradually expanded Morocco’s talent pool while increasing competition for places within the team.

The former Spain coach said his work has focused on strengthening the team’s defensive organization while enhancing its attacking capabilities to produce a more attractive and creative style of football.

Beyond tactics, he stressed the importance of mindset, competitiveness and commitment, which he considers the foundations of the team’s progress in recent years.

Playing on home soil is not an added source of pressure but rather a powerful motivation, Vilda added.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup-winning coach with Spain said the high expectations of Moroccan supporters reflect the confidence they have in the team.

He welcomed the opportunity to play in front of home fans, whom the Atlas Lionesses are eager to reward with performances that match the country’s ambitions.

Morocco will compete in Group A of the Women’s AFCON alongside Senegal, Algeria and Kenya.

Moroccan women’s national football team head coach Jorge Vilda unveiled on Friday a list of 26 players selected for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), scheduled in Morocco from July 25 to August 16.

Morocco has been placed in Group A alongside Senegal, Algeria and Kenya.

Here follows the full list of the selected players:

Goalkeepers:

– Khadija Er-Rmichi

– Ines Arouaissa

– Fatima-Zahra El Jebraoui

Defenders:

– Hanane Ait El Haj

– Zineb Redouani

– Aziza Rabbah

– Siham Boukhami

– Rania Boutiebi

– Nouhaila Benzina

– Maryame Atiq

– Nesryne El Chad

Midfielders:

– Soumia Hady

– Ghizlane Chebbak

– Najat Badri

– Hajar Said

– Yasmin-Katie M’Rabet

– Elodie Nahla Nakkach

Forwards:

– Kenza Chapelle

– Imane Saoud

– Kautar Azraf

– Jade Nassi

– Fatima Tagnaout

– Sakina Ouzraoui

– Chaimaa Mourtaji

– Ibtissam Jraidi

– Sanaa Mssoudy.

The Moroccan women’s national football team will face its Cabo Verdean opponent in a friendly fixture set for Saturday in the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat (10pm).

The Atlas Lionesses previously played a double friendly against Burkina Faso last Friday and Tuesday.

Jorge Vilda’s team won the first match 5-0 and drew the second 1-1.

These matches are part of the Moroccan team’s preparations for upcoming fixtures.