Morocco national under-17 football team

Last updated
Morocco U-17
Nickname(s) Atlas Lions
أُسُود الأطلس
ⵜⴰⵔⴰⴱⴱⵓⵓⵜ ⴰⵏⴰⵎⵓⵔ ⵏ ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ
Association Royal Moroccan Football Federation
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Head coach Flag of Morocco.svg Nabil Baha
Home stadium Various
FIFA code MAR
Kit left arm mrc24h.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body mrc24h.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm mrc24h.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts mrc24h.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
First colours
Kit left arm mrc24a.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body mrc24a.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm mrc24a.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts mrc24a.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
Second colours
First international
Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia 0–2 Morocco  Flag of Morocco.svg
(Tunisia; 2 July 1988)
Biggest win
Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 6–0 Mauritania  Flag of Mauritania.svg
(Morocco; 24 December 2018)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 5–0 Morocco  Flag of Morocco.svg
(Nigeria; 25 November 2006)
U-17 Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances4 (first in 2013 )
Best result Gold medal icon.svg Champions (2025)
Arab Cup U-17
Appearances3 (first in 2011 )
Best resultRunners-Up (2022)
FIFA U-17 World Cup
Appearances2 (first in 2013 )
Best resultQuarter-finals (2023)

The Morocco national under-17 football team is the national under-17 football team of Morocco and is controlled by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. The team competes in the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations, UNAF U-17 Tournament, Arab Cup U-17 and the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which is held every two years.

Contents

History

On 8 September 2022, Morocco lost the 2022 Arab Cup, after losing in penalties to Algeria. [1]

In the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco had a successful run, securing a spot in the knockout stages by finishing atop their group. They demonstrated their prowess by winning two matches and suffering a single defeat. [2] [3] [4] In the subsequent match against Algeria, the Moroccan team emerged triumphant with a remarkable 3-0 victory, solidifying their qualification for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. [5] [6] Moving on to the semi-finals, they faced off against Mali in an intense battle that ended with a nail-biting 6-5 victory for Morocco on penalties, thanks to a heroic save by goalkeeper Taha Benrhozil. [7] [8] Ultimately, Morocco finished the tournament in second place after a closely contested final, ending with a 2-1 loss. [9] [10] However, their commendable conduct throughout the competition earned them the fair play award, a testament to their sportsmanship. [11]

In the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Morocco qualified to the knockout stages after finishing top in the group stages winning two matches and losing one. [12] [13] In the Round of 16, they defeated Iran on penalties. [14] They were eliminated in the quarter-finals after losing to Mali 1-0, a remeet after the 2023 AFCON U-17 took place in Algeria. [15]

In the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco qualified to the knockout stages after finishing top in the group stages winning two matches and drawing one. [16] They defeated South Africa 3-1 in the Round of 16. [17] In the Semi-final, Morocco drew 0-0 with Ivory Coast and secured victory through a penalty shootout. [18] In the Final, Morocco defeated Mali in penalties to claim their first ever continental title. [19]

Tournament records

CAF U-16 and U-17 World Cup Qualifiers record

CAF U-16 and U-17 World Cup Qualifiers
Appearances: 1 / 5
YearRoundPositionPldWDLGFGA
1985 did not participate
1987
1989 Second Round421132
1991 Disqualified
1993 did not participate
Total1/5Second Round421132

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Current squad

The following players were called up to the squad for the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. [20]

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)Club
11 GK Chouaib Bellaarouch (2008-02-10)10 February 2008 (aged 17) Flag of Morocco.svg Mohammed VI Football Academy
22 DF Hamza Bouhadi (2008-10-07)7 October 2008 (aged 16) Flag of Morocco.svg FUS Rabat
32 DF Ilyas El Arbaoui (2008-05-04)4 May 2008 (aged 16) Flag of Spain.svg Athletic Club
42 DF Joseph Bellahsen (2008-12-28)28 December 2008 (aged 16) Flag of Germany.svg Borussia Mönchengladbach
52 DF Nassim El Massoudi (2008-02-19)19 February 2008 (aged 17) Flag of Germany.svg Bayer 04 Leverkusen
63 MF Elyes Saïdi (2008-12-15)15 December 2008 (aged 16) Flag of France.svg Auxerre
74 FW Ibrahim Rabbaj (2009-10-15)15 October 2009 (aged 15) Flag of England.svg Chelsea
83 MF Abdellah Ouazane (2009-01-15)15 January 2009 (aged 16) Flag of the Netherlands.svg Ajax FC
94 FW Ziyad Baha (2009-08-10)10 August 2009 (aged 15) Flag of Spain.svg Real Betis
103 MF Amine Ouahabi (2008-07-04)4 July 2008 (aged 16) Flag of Belgium (civil).svg KV Mechelen
114 FW Ilies Belmokhtar (2008-05-12)12 May 2008 (aged 16) Flag of France.svg AS Monaco
121 GK Yassine Laghirisi (2008-02-24)24 February 2008 (aged 17) Flag of France.svg FC Rouen
132 DF Driss Ait Cheikh (2008-07-17)17 July 2008 (aged 16) Flag of Morocco.svg Chippo Football Club
142 DF Ilyas Hidaoui (2008-04-13)13 April 2008 (aged 16) Flag of Morocco.svg Mohammed VI Football Academy
152 DF Ahmed Mouhoub (2008-01-04)4 January 2008 (aged 17) Flag of Morocco.svg FUS Rabat
163 MF Adam Soudi (2009-03-18)18 March 2009 (aged 16) Flag of France.svg Toulouse FC
174 FW Adam Jout (2008-01-23)23 January 2008 (aged 17) Flag of Morocco.svg Mohammed VI Football Academy
184 FW Zakari El Khalfioui (2008-02-27)27 February 2008 (aged 17) Flag of France.svg Ajaccio
194 FW Alí El Failali (2008-06-12)12 June 2008 (aged 16) Flag of Spain.svg Málaga
203 MF Ismail El Aoud (2009-07-01)1 July 2009 (aged 15) Flag of Spain.svg Valencia
212 DF Adam Alioui (2009-06-29)29 June 2009 (aged 15) Flag of France.svg Lyon
221 GK Soufiane Elidrisi (2008-02-22)22 February 2008 (aged 17) Flag of Morocco.svg Mohammed VI Football Academy
232 DF Moncef Zekri (2008-09-20)20 September 2008 (aged 16) Flag of Belgium (civil).svg KV Mechelen
243 MF Luis Velilles (2009-04-28)28 April 2009 (aged 15) Flag of Spain.svg Real Betis
253 MF Amine Amgar (2008-10-13)13 October 2008 (aged 16) Flag of the Netherlands.svg MVV Maastricht
263 MF Mohamed Mounssef (2008-06-12)12 June 2008 (aged 16) Flag of Morocco.svg Wydad AC

Honours

Winners (1): 2025
Runners-up (1): 2023
Runners-up (1): 2022
Third Place (1): 2012
Winners (4): 2007, 2011, 2018, 2022
Runners-up (3): 2009, 2014, 2018
Third Place (4): 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015

Previous squads

Head-to-head record

The following table shows Morocco's head-to-head record in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

OpponentPldWDLGFGAGDWin %
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 110031+2100.00
Flag of Ecuador.svg  Ecuador 100102−2000.00
Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 110031+2100.00
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 101011+0000.00
Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast 100112−1000.00
Flag of Mali.svg  Mali 100101−1000.00
Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 220062+4100.00
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan 101000+0000.00
Total94231410+4044.44


References

  1. "Morocco's U17 national team misses Arab Cup title, losing to Algeria". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2022-09-08. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  2. Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "TotalEnergies U17 AFCON: Morocco edge Nigeria to make quarters | TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2023". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  3. Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "TotalEnergies U17 AFCON: Second half resurgence lifts Morocco over South Africa | TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2023". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  4. Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "TotalEnergies U17 AFCON: Zambia down Morocco in Annaba but exit | TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2023". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  5. Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Morocco stun Algeria in Constantine, earn U17 World Cup slot | TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2023". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  6. "Morocco U-17 team qualifies for World Cup with 3-0 win over Algeria". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  7. Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Benrhozil heroics send Morocco to Totalenergies U17 AFCON final | TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2023". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  8. "Morocco's U-17 football team reaches African Cup final in thrilling penalty shootout against Mali". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-05-14. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  9. Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Sawane scores winner as Senegal clinch TotalEnergies U17 AFCON title | TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2023". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  10. "Morocco's under 17 Team loses to Senegal in the final of the African Cup of Nations". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  11. Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Burkina Faso's Alio named TotalEnergies U17 AFCON MVP | TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2023". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  12. "Morocco qualified for U-17 World Cup final 16". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-11-16. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  13. "Barry scores brace as Mali beat Mexico 5-0 to reach U17 World Cup quarter-final". sportsbrief.com. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  14. "Morocco qualified for U-17 World Cup final 16". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-11-16. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  15. "Morocco's U17 eliminated from World Cup". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-11-25. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  16. MASAITI, Amira EL (2025-04-06). "Morocco tops Tanzania 3-0 to reach U17 Africa Cup quarterfinals, clinches World Cup spot". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
  17. MASAITI, Amira EL (2025-04-10). "Morocco U-17 Advances to Africa Cup Semi-Finals After 3-1 Victory Over South Africa". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
  18. MASAITI, Amira EL (2025-04-15). "Morocco U-17 book spot in AFCON final after penalty win over Côte d'Ivoire". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
  19. MASAITI, Amira EL (2025-04-19). "Morocco clinches historic U-17 Africa Cup of Nations title". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
  20. "Morocco U17 Squad".