Morocco national under-20 football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Morocco women's national under-20 football team.
Morocco U-20
NicknameThe Atlas Cubs
AssociationRoyal Moroccan Football Federation
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Home stadiumVarious
FIFA codeMAR
First colours
Second colours
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Appearances4 (first in 1977)
Best result Champions (2025)
U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances11 (first in 1979)
Best result Champions (1997)
Arab Cup U-20
Appearances8 (first in 1983)
Best result Champions (1989, 2011)
Medal record
FIFA U-20 World Cup
2025 Chile Team
U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
1997 Morocco
2025 Egypt Team
Arab Cup U-20
1989 Iraq
2011 Morocco
1983 Morocco
Mediterranean Games
2013 Mersin
Islamic Solidarity Games
2013 Palembang
2005 Mecca

Morocco national under-20 football team, represents Morocco in association football at an under-20 age level and is controlled by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, the governing body for football in Morocco. The current coach is Mohamed Ouahbi.

History

On 24 December 2020, Morocco won the 2020 UNAF U-20 Tournament and qualified for the 2021 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.[1] In the 2021 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco topped their group stage after winning 1-0 against Gambia,[2] drawing 0-0 with Ghana, and defeating Tanzania 2-0.[3] Their campaign ended after losing to Tunisia on penalties.[4]

In the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco did very well in the group stage and finished first in their group. They started by beating Kenya 3-2 in an exciting match.[5] Then, they played a tough game against Nigeria that ended in a 0-0 draw.[6] In their last group match, they won 3-1 against Tunisia.[7] These results helped them move on to the knockout stage as the top team in their group. In the quarterfinal, Morocco beat Sierra Leone 1-0 in extra time.[8] Then, in the semifinal, they defeated Egypt 1-0 to reach the final.[9] In the final, Morocco lost 1-0 to first time champions South Africa.[10]

In the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Morocco advanced to the knockout stages after finishing first in their group. They defeated Spain 2-0 and Brazil 2-1,[11][12] but lost to Mexico 1-0.[13] In the Round of 16 they beat South Korea 2-1.[14] In the quarterfinals they defeated the USA 3-1.[15]In the semifinal on 15 October 2025, they beat France on penalties, securing a place in the World Cup final for the first time in their history.[16] On 20 October 2025, Morocco defeated Argentina 2–0 in the final, claiming their first-ever world title, the first for the Arab World and the second for Africa, after Ghana's triumph in 2009.[17][18]

On 22 October 2025, Crown Prince Moulay Hassan hosted the national team at the royal palace to honor their World Cup victory.[19]

At the 2025 CAF Awards, the Morocco under-20 national team was named the Best National Team of the Year, becoming the first non-senior national side to receive the honour.[20]

Players

Current squad

The following players were named in the squad for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup between 27 September – 19 October 2025.[21]

Caps and goals are correct as of 1 October 2025, after the match against Brazil.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Yanis Benchaouch (2006-04-10) 10 April 2006 18 0 Monaco
12 1GK Ibrahim Gomis (2005-03-20) 20 March 2005 2 0 Marseille
16 1GK Hakim Mesbahi (2005-09-07) 7 September 2005 18 0 AS FAR
2 2DF Hamza Koutoune (2006-09-17) 17 September 2006 15 0 Annecy
3 2DF Ali Maamar (2005-03-23) 23 March 2005 24 0 Anderlecht
4 2DF Ismaël Baouf (2006-09-17) 17 September 2006 12 1 Cambuur
13 2DF Taha Majni (2007-10-11) 11 October 2007 4 0 Union Touarga
15 2DF Fouad Zahouani (2006-04-18) 18 April 2006 16 0 Union Touarga
19 2DF Smail Bakhty (2006-11-29) 29 November 2006 14 2 Sturm Graz
20 2DF Mohammed Kebdani (2006-05-13) 13 May 2006 1 0 AS FAR
5 3MF Anas Tajaouart (2005-09-07) 7 September 2005 12 1 Anderlecht
6 3MF Naïm Byar (2005-02-23) 23 February 2005 11 1 Wydad AC
8 3MF Hossam Essadak (2005-07-30) 30 July 2005 20 1 Union de Touarga
10 3MF Saad El Haddad (2005-07-24) 24 July 2005 19 7 Pineto
18 3MF Yassine Khalifi (2005-08-09) 9 August 2005 28 3 Sporting Charleroi
7 4FW Othmane Maamma (2005-10-06) 6 October 2005 23 5 Watford
9 4FW Younes El Bahraoui (2005-01-04) 4 January 2005 4 1 KAC Marrakech
11 4FW Ilias Boumassaoudi (2005-01-14) 14 January 2005 19 5 Den Bosch
14 4FW Mohamed Hamony (2006-08-05) 5 August 2006 3 0 Girona B
17 4FW Gessime Yassine (2005-11-22) 22 November 2005 11 3 Strasbourg
21 4FW Yassir Zabiri (2005-02-23) 23 February 2005 25 16 Rennes

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the Morocco U-20 squad in the last 12 months and remain eligible.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
DF Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal (2006-04-16) 16 April 2006 6 0 Amiens 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Ahmed Khatir (2005-03-14) 14 March 2005 22 0 Beveren 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Naoufel El Hannach (2006-12-07) 7 December 2006 5 1 Paris Saint-Germain 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Juliën Mesbahi (2006-01-31) 31 January 2006 2 0 Twente 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Issa Habri (2006-01-06) 6 January 2006 0 0 Rennes 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
MF Reda Laalaoui (2005-05-11) 11 May 2005 24 6 Hull City 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
MF Anas El Makkaoui (2005-04-09) 9 April 2005 14 1 FUS Rabat 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
MF Ismaël Aouad (2006-05-22) 22 May 2006 6 2 Lens 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
MF Amine Boukamir (2006-10-23) 23 October 2006 3 0 Royal Charleroi 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Ayman Arguigue (2005-05-11) 11 May 2005 11 5 Huesca 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Mouad Dahak (2005-07-22) 22 July 2005 20 8 Union de Touarga 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Jones El-Abdellaoui (2006-01-12) 12 January 2006 0 0 Celta Vigo 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Adnane Kharroubi (2006-08-03) 3 August 2006 1 1 Caen 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Adam Boayar (2005-10-13) 13 October 2005 11 1 Elche 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations

Previous squads

FIFA U-20 World Cup

FIFA U-20 World Cup
Year Result GP W D L GS GA
1977 Group stage 3 0 0 3 0 6
1979 Did not qualify
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997 Round of 16 4 1 2 1 5 4
1999 Did not qualify
2001
2003
2005 Fourth Place 7 3 1 3 11 10
2007 Did not qualify
2009
2011
2013
2015
2017
2019
2023
2025 Champions 7 5 1 1 12 5
2027 To be determined
Total 4/25 21 9 4 8 28 25

U-20 Africa Cup of Nations

U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
Year Result GP W D L GS GA
1979 Second round 2 0 1 1 0 2
1981 First round 2 1 0 1 1 1
1983 Quarterfinals 4 2 1 1 7 3
1985 Quarterfinals 4 2 1 1 4 3
1987 Semifinals 6 4 0 2 10 4
1989 First Round 2 1 0 1 2 2
1991 Did not qualify
1993 Group stage 3 1 0 2 4 6
1995 Did not qualify
1997 Winner 5 3 1 1 5 2
1999 Did not qualify
2001
2003 Group stage 3 0 1 2 0 5
2005 Fourth Place 5 2 3 0 8 5
2007 Did not qualify
2009
2011
2013
2015
2017
2019
2021 Quarterfinals 4 2 2 0 4 0
2023 Did not qualify
2025 Runners-up 6 4 1 1 13 8
Total 12/23 46 22 11 13 58 41

Tournament Records

UNAF U-20 Tournament record

UNAF U-20 Tournament
Appearances: 15 / 18
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
2005 did not participate
2006 Runners-up 2 4 2 2 0 ? ?
2007 Fourth Place 4 3 1 0 2 2 4
2008 Fourth Place 4 4 2 0 2 5 4
2009 Third Place 3 3 2 0 1 3 3
2010 Fourth Place 4 3 0 2 1 2 4
2011 Fourth Place 4 3 0 1 2 0 4
2012 Third Place 3 2 1 0 1 3 3
2012 Third Place 3 3 1 1 1 4 4
2014 Runner-up 2 2 1 0 1 3 3
2015 Winner 1 2 2 0 0 5 2
2016 canceled
2019 Fourth Place 4 4 1 2 1 3 4
2020 Winner 1 3 1 2 0 2 1
2021 withdrew
2022 Third Place 3 1 1 1 2 1 4
2023 Runner-up 4 2 1 1 12 7 7
2024 Winner 1 4 3 1 0 9 3
Total w 3 47 20 13 14 54? 47?

Arab Cup U-20 record

Arab Cup U-20
Appearances: 8 / 8
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1983 Third Place 3rd 7 5 1 1 9 3
1985 Group stage 11th 2 0 1 1 0 2
1989 Champions 1st 6 5 1 0 14 4
1992 Cancelled
2011 Champions 1st 5 3 2 0 6 3
2012 Group stage 6th 3 1 1 1 3 3
2014 Cancelled
2020 Semi-finals 4th 5 4 0 1 12 7
2021 Quarter-finals 5th 4 3 1 0 16 2
2022 Quarter-finals 6th 3 2 0 1 6 4
2026 To be determined
2028
Total Best: Champions 2nd 35 23 7 5 66 28

Mediterranean Games

Year Round Position GP W D* L GS GA
1991 Bronze Medal 3rd 3 2 0 1 6 3
1993 Group stage 9th 2 0 1 1 0 2
1997 did not enter
2001 Group stage 8th 2 1 0 1 6 4
2005 Fourth Place 4th 5 1 2 2 3 3
2009 withdrew
2013 Gold Medal 1st 5 4 1 0 12 5
2018 Bronze Medal 3rd 4 1 2 1 5 5
2022 Bronze Medal 3rd 5 2 1 2 8 6
2026 To be determined
2030
Total 1 Title 7/9 25 11 7 8 40 28

Jeux de la Francophonie

Football at the Jeux de la Francophonie record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1989 Silver Medal 2nd 5 3 1 1 10 7
1994 Fourth Place 4th 4 2 0 2 5 6
1997 did not enter
2001 Gold Medal 1st 6 3 3 0 12 3
2005 Group Stage 9th 3 1 0 2 4 4
2009 Bronze Medal 3rd 4 3 0 1 6 3
2013 Silver Medal 2nd 4 1 1 2 4 4
2017 Gold Medal 1st 5 3 2 0 13 1
2023 did not enter
2027 To be determined
Total 2 Titles 7/9 31 16 7 8 54 28

Head-to-head record

The following table shows Morocco's head-to-head record in the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Honours

International

Champions: 2025

Continental

Champions: 1997
Runners-up: 2025
Third Place: 1987

Regional

Champions: 1989, 2011
Third Place: 1983
Champions: 2013
Gold Medalists (1): 2013
Gold Medalists (2): 2001, 2017
Silver Medal: 1989, 2013
Bronze Medal: 2009

Qualifying tournament

Champions: 2015, 2020, 2024
Runners-up: 2006, 2014, 2023
Third Place: 2008, 2009, 2012, 2022

References

  1. ^ "2020 UNAF U-20 Tournament: Morocco Qualifies for Africa U-20 Cup of Nations Following Draw with Libya". MapNews. 24 December 2020. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  2. ^ "U-20 Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco Defeats Gambia 1-0 in Group C". HESPRESS English. 2021-02-16. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  3. ^ "U20 AFCON: Morocco To Face Tunisia in Quart-Finals". HESPRESS English. 2021-02-23. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  4. ^ "U20 Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco Loses to Tunisia in Quarter-Final". HESPRESS English. 2021-02-26. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  5. ^ EL MASAITI, Amira (2025-05-04). "Morocco's U20 team set for key clash with Nigeria after win over Kenya". HESPRESS English. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  6. ^ EL MASAITI, Amira (2025-05-04). "U20 National team, Nigeria play to draw at Africa U-20 Cup of Nations". HESPRESS English. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  7. ^ EL MASAITI, Amira EL (2025-05-07). "Morocco advances to U-20 Africa Cup quarterfinals with 3-1 win over Tunisia". HESPRESS English. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  8. ^ EL MASAITI, Amira (2025-05-12). "Morocco U-20 team reaches AFCON semifinals and qualifies for 2025 World Cup". HESPRESS English. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
  9. ^ EL MASAITI, Amira (2025-05-15). "Morocco U20 team secures AFCON final after beating Egypt 1-0". HESPRESS English. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
  10. ^ "South Africa crowned U-20 AFCON champions after historic win over Morocco". South Africa crowned U-20 AFCON champions after historic win over Morocco. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  11. ^ "Morocco end 20-year wait with famous win over Spain at U-20 World Cup". Morocco end 20-year wait with famous win over Spain at U-20 World Cup. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
  12. ^ EL MASAITI, Amira (2025-10-02). "Morocco U20 players hail victory over Brazil, eye Mexico clash". HESPRESS English. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
  13. ^ EL MASAITI, Amira (2025-10-04). "Morocco U-20s fall to Mexico 1-0 but advance as group leaders at FIFA U-20 World Cup". HESPRESS English. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
  14. ^ EL MASAITI, Amira (2025-10-10). "World Cup-U20: Morocco eliminates South Korea (2-1), advances to quarterfinals". HESPRESS English. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
  15. ^ EL MASAITI, Amira (2025-10-12). "Morocco U20 team advances to World Cup semifinals after 3-1 victory over USA in Chile". HESPRESS English. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
  16. ^ EL MASAITI, Amira (2025-10-15). "Morocco beats France on penalties to reach U20 World Cup final". HESPRESS English. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
  17. ^ EL MASAITI, Amira (2025-10-20). "Morocco beat Argentina 2–0 to win first-ever U20 World Cup title in Chile". HESPRESS English. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  18. ^ "Morocco crowned world champions at the FIFA U-20 World Cup". Morocco crowned world champions at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  19. ^ MASAITI, Amira EL (2025-10-22). "U-20 National Team players express deep gratitude to King for his solicitude toward youth". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
  20. ^ Toutate, Issam (2025-11-19). "CAF Awards: Morocco's U20 Team Crowned Africa's National Team of the Year". Morocco World News. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  21. ^ "السيد محمد وهبي يستدعي 21 لاعبا للمشاركة في كأس العالم لأقل من 20 سنة" (in Arabic). الجامعة الملكية المغربية لكرة القدم. 19 September 2025. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  22. ^ "Coupe/Jeux de la Francophonie". Rsssf. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
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