Morocco Advance to U17 AFCON Semis with 3-1 Victory Over South Africa

Morocco’s Government Council on Thursday approved a bill to establish the “Morocco 2030 Foundation,” a new body tasked with overseeing preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the Kingdom is co-hosting.

Bill No. 35.25, presented by Minister Delegate for the Budget Fouzi Lekjaa, forms part of the implementation of directives issued by HM King Mohammed VI during the Council of Ministers held on December 4, 2024.

Speaking at a press briefing after the weekly cabinet meeting, Government Spokesperson Mustapha Baitas said the Foundation will coordinate and monitor development projects linked to the 2030 World Cup and ensure Morocco meets its commitments under the tournament’s specifications.

Baitas added that the initiative aligns with HM the King’s vision of sport as a tool for sustainable and inclusive development, as well as a driver of youth integration and territorial development.

He noted that hosting the 2030 World Cup—alongside other major events such as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations—reinforces Morocco’s status as a hub for international events and a meeting point of civilizations.

The Morocco 2030 Foundation will adopt a participatory approach involving government bodies, public institutions, local authorities, civil society, the private sector, the Moroccan diaspora, and the broader football community, including African partners, Baitas said.

 Morocco international Achraf Hakimi was named Man of the Match after helping Paris Saint-Germain beat Seattle Sounders 2-0 on Matchday 3 of Group B at the FIFA Club World Cup.

The PSG right-back scored his side’s second goal in the 67th minute, sealing the victory and securing qualification for the round of 16.

Hakimi, who has been instrumental throughout the season, also scored in the UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan, as well as in the quarterfinals and semifinals against Aston Villa and Arsenal, respectively.

The Atlas Lions captain has emerged as a key figure in Luis Enrique’s squad, which has already clinched a historic treble and remains a strong contender for the Club World Cup title.

The Moroccan football team defeated their Beninese counterparts 1-0 in a friendly match played at the Fez Sports Complex on Monday evening.

The Atlas Lions’ goal was scored by Ayoub El Kaabi (45th+2).

Morocco’s national football team defeated Tunisia 2-0 in a friendly fixture held on Friday at the Fez Grand Stadium.

After a dominant, yet goalless first half, Morocco managed to move the needle in the second with two goals through in-form Achraf Hakimi who opened the scoring in the 80th minute, before Ayoub El Kaabi dealt the final blow in additional time (90’+3).

The national team will play another friendly against Benin on June 9 at the Fez Sports Complex.

These two friendly matches are part of a comprehensive preparatory program designed to strengthen cohesion within the squad and give players extra playing time ahead of the forthcoming official matches.

MAP: 06 June 2025

Morocco’s U17 national football team will play two international friendlies next month as part of its preparations for the FIFA U17 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Qatar from November 3 to 27.

The team will take on Canada on June 3 at 16:00 local time, followed by a match against Japan on June 6 at 12:30. Both fixtures will be held in the Spanish city of Alicante, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation announced on Wednesday.

The friendlies form part of the national squad’s build-up to the tournament, where Morocco has been drawn in Group B alongside Japan, New Caledonia, and Portugal.

Morocco’s national head coach Walid Regragui unveiled on Tuesday the 27-player squad selected for the upcoming friendly fixtures against Tunisia and Benin, scheduled for June 6 and 9 at the Fez Sports Complex.

Kick-off for both games is set for 9:00 p.m. (GMT+1).

The list of the selected players is the following:

– Goalkeepers:

Munir El Kajoui (RS Berkane), Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia), El Mehdi Benabid (Wydad Casablanca).

– Defenders:

Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Omar El Hilali (Espanyol Barcelona, Spain), Abdelkabir Abqar (Deportivo Alavés, Spain), Abdelhak Assal (RS Berkane), Jawad El Yamiq (Al Wehda FC, Saudi Arabia), Oussama El Azzouzi (Bologna FC, Italy), Adam Massina (Torino FC, Italy), Zakaria El Ouahdi (KRC Genk, Belgium), and Youssef Belaamri (Raja Casablanca).

– Midfielders:

Azzeddine Ounahi (Panathinaikos, Greece), Bilal El Khannous (Leicester City, England), Sofyan Amrabat (Fenerbahçe, Turkey), Oussama Targhalline (Feyenoord Rotterdam, Netherlands), Amir Richardson (Fiorentina, Italy), and Ismail Saibari (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands)

– Forwards:

Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid, Spain), Eliesse Ben Seghir (AS Monaco, France), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain, UAE), Maroan Sanadi (Athletic Bilbao, Spain), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos, Greece), Youssef En-Nesyri (Fenerbahçe, Turkey), Hamza Igamane (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Oussama Sahraoui (Lille, France) and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis, Spain).